This chapter is significantly shorter, because it's leading into the next chapter (which is really 22 pages long on its own), and is when the actual 'romance' stuff begins. Since this is a filler though, I will probably be posting June rather soon.

However! This chapter comes with a warning. There is self-love in this - but it's only one sentence, and is not really graphic, so changing the rating seemed a bit excessive. If you feel like it's offensive or needs to change, please feel free to say so.

That being said, I hope you enjoy

May 1st, Saturday

"Gohan!" Chi Chi greeted, wiping her hands off on her apron. She'd just come from the kitchen, hurrying up to him. Her fingers were immediately around his cheeks, before dropping around his shoulders, dragging him into a hug that could've crushed a normal human.

"I've missed you mom!" he returned, careful with his hug. After all, he was his father's son, and Goku had certainly done enough damage to Chi Chi throughout the years, simply showing minor displays of affection.

"I've missed you too, sweetie," she enthused, her smile not fading as she took a few steps back from him. "Piccolo told me you'd be coming today, so I took the liberty of making you a chocolate cake." Chi Chi laughed, noting the look of rapture that overtook his face at the mention of cake.

Following him inside, she quickly seated him, serving him the whole cake. She knew that a young Saiyan would gladly eat it in its entirety. There was no way she was going to look her hungry baby in the eye and tell him he was limited, anyways.

Sitting down opposite him, she watched as he forcefully used his best manners for her.

"I was certain you hadn't had much in the way of desserts since you'd been gone," she spoke, watching his affirmative nod. He wouldn't be speaking for quite some time, Chi Chi could already guess, due to the food being shoveled into his mouth. "I've missed you, Goten has as well. But, he and Trunks are going on a camping trip—with Bulma!" she threw in hastily, watching as Gohan jumped to the first conclusion—that Vegeta was taking them.

"He's grown quite close to the Briefs as of late, anyhow. I'm glad he has someone to keep him preoccupied. I'm certain that he needs more company then just me, you know?" She laughed at the look in her son's eyes, as if he wasn't certain how to answer that. "Though, Piccolo has been coming around here lately, helping me train Goten."

That certainly piqued Gohan's interest, but she didn't think anything of it. She knew Piccolo and Gohan were incredibly close. Once upon a time she'd had beautiful dreams of her son kicking the alien to the curb, after all, but she had obviously been robbed of that joyful experience. Now she and the Namek simply were.

It wasn't a friendship. It wasn't hatred. It was simply being.

Tucking back a strand of hair, Chi Chi saw that he was about done, and decided now was her chance to spring one of her most important conversational topics. A sneaky smile lit her face as she scooped up Gohan's plate and fork, watching as he patted his belly in a satisfied way.

He leaned back, obviously pleased. "That was amazing, mom," Gohan's compliment warmed her slightly as she rinsed off the plate. Setting it in the sink, she turned her back to it slowly, and leaned one hip against the counter.

"So," Chi Chi began, "have you met anyone special at college?"

She knew she had him the moment he spluttered, a blush lighting up his face as he quickly looked everywhere but. His fingers immediately delved into his hair, looking the very picture of his father in that moment. It was too much, really. Her son hadn't been this flustered since they'd discovered his crush on Videl back earlier in high school.

That had lasted a good three years—and Chi Chi almost thought they were going to make it. Then the two just decided to be friends, and stayed as close as when they'd been dating, even going so far as to attend college together like they'd planned as a couple. The two were one of a kind, certainly, be it romantic or platonic.

"Mom," Gohan was muttered, shifting in his chair. "I don't… I don't have anyone."

"What a pity," Chi Chi sighed dramatically, fanning herself as she leaned against the counter. Gohan laughed at her behavior, the love in his eyes making her own water. She loved her boys, truly, and now she simply wanted to love some grandchildren.

"The moment I find someone, I'll tell you immediately," Gohan promised, then a look that Chi Chi immediately associated with guilt flickered across his features. She could already tell that he liked someone from all of his blushing and blustering, but that was certainly an odd reaction. She wondered if perhaps it was someone she wouldn't approve of.

Hopefully it wasn't a delinquent.

Giving a thoughtful hum, she decided to move their little reunion into the living room, offering to put in a movie. Gohan had declined, under the premise that he'd already seen enough movies since he'd been on his own.

"On the off chance Piccolo doesn't stop by," he'd said, a definite whine in his voice, "then that's all I do. He's so erratic with his schedule, too, so it's pretty much luck of the draw."

Chi Chi started a bit at the mention of Piccolo, but Gohan had let it slip so easily that she decided not to press it. She knew that Piccolo had visited Gohan a few times—after all, she'd sent him with food. But what Gohan had just said made it sound like Piccolo was there more than he was not, and that was what interested her the most.

A quick decision told her to just leave it be for now. Wait and observe. Gohan was unobservant. She knew her baby was as smart as a whip, but when it came to anything else he fumbled just a bit. That was Goku in him, for sure.

"So, do you like living on your own?" Chi Chi opted for that question instead, ignoring all the burning ones she had about Piccolo. It made sense, though. The Namek used to spend a few hours with Goten, then he would mutter that he was leaving for the Lookout, and immediately fly off. Now, however, he'd begun a routine of demanding to know what time it was from Chi Chi, then flying towards down whenever he left. She'd not thought to question Piccolo.

"I like it well enough, I suppose," Gohan answered, though he looked a bit sullen. "It was really awful at first. That's why I made myself wait at least a month. I didn't want to crack—and I figured flying up here every time I got a bit lonely wasn't the way to help that. Piccolo did make it a thousand times easier though."

She smirked, watching as he slowly divulged more and more.

"What do you and Piccolo do?" she asked, attempting to maintain casual conversation. The trick with the Son boys was to wheedle the information slowly out of them. Keep your voice calm and relaxed, you didn't want to arouse any suspicion from them by altering the mood or flow of dialogue.

"Mostly sit around," and there it went, "I do homework while he meditates or talks to me. It's really nice. The other day he actually listened to me and stopped wearing his weighted gear while we're relaxing. He kept sitting on it weird whenever we'd relax on the couch." He was rambling now. "The other day was really fun, too. He ended up serving your dinner, we ate together, and I leaned against him and took a picture…" Gohan looked down at his pocket, then, and Chi Chi slowly blinked at all this new information.

It was bizarre, to imagine Piccolo just 'hanging out' with a human of his own volition, doing perfectly domestic things. The thought, which she'd originally thought of as repulsive, slowly transformed into something that was more digestible. Her own feelings for Piccolo had altered progressively throughout the years. Once she'd found out that he was just as malleable as her husband (thank-you driver's license test) he'd even been tolerable.

And now he was making her son happy.

Chi Chi, in one wild moment, even imagine some weird affair happening between the two. With a shudder, she quickly set aside that thought. While it wasn't as repulsive as it should have been, she wasn't exactly thrilled to have imagined it anyways.

Pushing aside those thoughts, she focused on engaging in perfectly normal conversations with her son. The end of semester was coming up after all, and she was questioning him about his plans for the summer. He seemed rather unsure of himself, and Chi Chi had to try very hard not to roll her eyes many times. (Ok so it wasn't mature for someone her age but honestly her boys were so clueless!)

She finally realized the time and walked him to the door, delivering a soft kiss to his cheek. As he flew off, she stayed standing in the grass, wet strands tickling her legs, until he was completely gone from sight. Then, Chi Chi turned around, went inside, and did the dishes.

May 3rd, Monday

Gohan had felt completely revitalized from his visit with his mother. He'd immediately gone home, done his homework, and had set about texting Videl about his encounter. She'd teased him about there definitely being someone for whom he had his eyes on, but in his good humor he'd heartily agreed, shocking his phone into silence for the night.

Once Sunday hit, Piccolo had arrived bright and early at his doorstep, complaining loudly that they needed to get on with his training. Gohan had assuaged him with promises for summer break—"I swear Piccolo its coming up soon, relax!"—to which his companion had grumbled none too quietly, a small pout on his lips. It was at that point that Gohan had taken the liberty of snapping another picture. Piccolo had seemed confused at first, but allowed it.

Now it was Monday, and Gohan was still feeling the resonating waves of good emotions riding through him. When he opened his door, he was a little let down that there was no Piccolo there to greet him, but he did pause momentarily, soaking in the one benefit to this. He had been neglecting himself here lately….

Sucking in a deep breath, Gohan flopped down on the couch, and unbuttoned his fly. Despite his brain kicking him thoroughly, he couldn't help but slide over to Piccolo's side of the furniture. If he lied to himself, Gohan could almost say he smelled the Namek.

Smiling at the thought, Gohan pushed his pants down just a bit, the band of his boxers sliding with it. One hand cupped his balls, while the other carefully palmed his cock, and it felt fantastic. It had been far too long—thinking back, he literally hadn't done this since his new apartment. There'd been no time, and simply no enthusiasm for such things.

He'd just started going, feeling wonderful, as a key turned in the lock. Gohan froze, petrified, as a few embarrassing childhood memories raced through his mind. That sound coupled with this activity had earned him quite a few shrieks from his mother back when he was younger.

So he sat there, mid-stroke of masturbation, as Piccolo entered the living room.

A number of curse words spilled out of his mouth as Gohan hastily jerked his pants and boxers up, grunting as the zipper scraped against him. He curled his knees up to his chest, attempting to hide the tent that had formed there, and the pre-cum staining his pants.

Piccolo was just standing there, looking resolutely at the floor as he did so. Gohan was appreciative of that at least—despite the fact that he still desperately wanted to find a hole to curl up in and die. How fucking embarrassing was this!?

"I'm sorry I was not here at my usual time," Piccolo was muttering, though it sounded a little strangled, "my training with Goten ran a little late." Another pause, in which Gohan was fighting back tears of horror. "If you'd like, I can leave for the day?"

Gohan mumbled something, and he felt a few more tears gather. Oh Gods, he could not cry over something so absolutely stupid! This was pathetic. So what his ex-mentor and crush caught him masturbating. Who didn't that fucking happen to?!

"Very well. Though, you should know ah…" Piccolo's voice was strained again, and Gohan felt his mortification mounting with every word, "it's nothing to be embarrassed about. Your father used to do it."

"Please go," Gohan ground out, unable to hear anymore of whatever the hell that had been. The Namek decided that, for once, he'd not put up a fight, and actually obliged to Gohan's request. He heard a distant click, as Piccolo took his leave, locking the door as he left.

Flopping over on the couch, Gohan stared miserably at his persistent erection, and decided that he really fucking hated his life right now.

May 4th, Tuesday

Videl was staring at him, mouth hanging open, revealing the contents of her sandwich to Gohan in a way that was more than unpleasant. Really, didn't she think that he was disgusted enough with himself, without her bologna staring him in the face.

"Videl," he finally griped, taking a bite of his own food, looking miserably down at the table. The pair were seated at a Subway, his five subs beside him, along with three bags of chips they intended on sharing. Ideally, he hadn't wanted to discuss this in a public place, but Videl had insisted on food after a long day at school.

"Sorry," she mumbled finally, chewing her food through a closed mouth. Her eyes slid off to the side, fixated on something. "It's just… God that's embarrassing."

He cringed at that, fingers tightening around his sandwich. Mayonnaise dribbled out of the bottom, and he stare miserably as it puddled up on a wrapper. This was such a mess. Even Videl wasn't offering her usual bout of sarcastic wisdom, and was instead openly pitying him for this whole debacle.

"I really wish I could offer some form of advice," Videl was saying, still being far too kind with this to make Gohan comfortable. If she were making jokes then it would be all right—but this deep rooted sincerity made his skin crawl. "Unfortunately I've never had my crush catch me in the act, y'know?"

"Yeah, I know," he sighed miserably.

"Maybe he'll come visit today, and you can talk about it?" Videl offered, attempting to see the bright side of a pitch dark room.

"That's the thing," Gohan muttered, taking a miserable bite of his food, "I'm not sure I want to. It got really weird, and he mentioned something about me not being embarrassed because my dad did it! How do you even continue conversation from there?" His voice pitched into the whiny area at the end of that, and he quickly quieted himself, thankful that no one else was in the shop.

"That is weird," Videl admitted, humming thoughtfully. She finished off her sandwich, then turned to one of the bags of chips, popping it open. Drawing one out, she munched on it, mulling over what he'd said. "But didn't he and your dad train together?"

"While I was there," Gohan complained, dropping his sandwich as he flattened his palms against the table. He remembered training with the two warriors—but they weren't always in one another's company. And then there was when Piccolo had stayed at their house for a small period… "Well… I guess it's possible," Gohan finally mumbled.

"Then again, what do giant green aliens know about masturbation?" Videl seemed on a whole different tangent that made Gohan distinctly uncomfortable. "Do you know what Namekians have down there?" She was staring at him, her gaze intense, causing him to shift underneath it.

"I don't know," he admitted, not wanting to give way to the fact that he'd tried to imagine it before. How was he supposed to know what went on down there? He'd never seen the Namek naked. Of course, Piccolo had had every inch of his clothes blasted off but at that particular area of interest. The only other person he'd even be able to ask such a question to would be Dende and that just seemed inappropriate on so many levels.

You couldn't just walk up to God and ask him if he had a dick.

Some things just weren't done.

"Oh well," Videl sighed, shaking her head. "I mean, not to sound so apathetic, but what's done is done. You can only persevere!" A pumped fist and Videl was back to her usual self, cocky grin taking dominance on her face. "Is he supposed to come over and visit today?"

"I don't know," Gohan admitted, shrugging his shoulders. He didn't notice the way Videl was staring at him, an expression of incredulousness there.

"So he could very well just be sitting in your apartment right now, waiting for you to get there?" She finally prompted, twirling a finger slowly. "Y'know, maybe ready to sort this whole thing out?"

It finally clicked, and Gohan jumped from his seat. He tried his best to ignore Videl's laughter at his sake, simply hugging her as a thank-you before he jetted out the door. The temptation to fly was ridiculously strong, but he managed to keep it at bay. There was no sense in causing alarm for people—anymore.

Running as fast as he could without breaking into his super-human limits, Gohan arrived at his apartment. Dragging out his keys, he jammed them into the lock, and turned the knob.

Inside, his apartment was empty. No one there.

Sighing, Gohan cursed himself for his eagerness, and flopped down on the couch. A few stray waves of embarrassment clouded his mind for just a moment as he recalled last night's session. Miserable once more, he pulled out his phone and sent a text to Videl.

God, this was pathetic.

Please let me know what you think!