Chapter 5: Complicated
A/N: Hope this can be another break from all of the craziness. Please enjoy and forget for the time being.
Gohan had a different feeling rolling in his stomach. It had been a long time since he'd felt this way, but he was genuinely happy. Disregarding the usual issues at home involving him and Paris since his mom was always just so busy. But Gohan just looked forward to it, 'Maybe it's cause I have a girlfriend, even though we haven't said anything. Which is good because I know Sharpner will get pissed.' Not that he was afraid of the jock, but he wanted to avoid any altercation.
He and Erasa had started slipping away before school, after school, and sometimes when they were just alone to sneak in a few little kisses and touches. She was so nice to him, always willing to make that feeling in his chest swell. Describing what it was, it felt like pride, but Gohan knew it wasn't that. But to say that he was in love with Erasa - well that was another story. He liked her, sure, but jumping up and declaring she was going to be his whole heart at sixteen was kind of illogical. But he would certainly entertain the idea.
Coming into first class and taking his seat, ignoring most of the other kids and their usual banter. Gohan just got himself situated, his daily practiced routine wasn't going to really change. Teachers of course always came up and wished him well. Smiling and thanking them just came naturally.
But… A hand was planted on his desk, the black biker glove attached to a female hand was one belonging to none other than Miss Videl Satan.
"Morning Videl!" Gohan replied, cheerful as always. He and his once hated nemesis had begun to simmer into a dull burn since he'd been asked out by Erasa. Things might not be good, but she wasn't quite so hostile with him as she had been previously.
Her face gave no impression as to why she was here away. "Gohan, come with me. We need to talk."
Uh oh. He looked at the clock, "But we only have three minutes, can't it wai-"
"Mr. Lafour, I need to borrow Gohan for ten minutes to help the student council. Can he be excused until then?" Videl asked, her head turning to the teacher who nodded.
"That will be fine Videl, Gohan's far ahead enough that I'm not worried about him missing a few minutes." 'Damn it come on, just because I have a 100 percent does not mean that I have to just miss class.' His mental whining aside, Gohan conceded and followed behind her.
Gohan's assumption was correct as she led him into one of the empty classrooms and closed the door. 'Alone with Videl… I know this is going to end well.' "So what do you need Videl?"
She took a breath, "Gohan, I'm not here to fight with you." At one point she'd enjoy the prospect of it, she unfortunately had to let that go. "Erasa won me over, I've decided not to pursue any further conflict between the two of us."
"That's a relief." Gohan said semi jokingly, Videl's attitude had always been a pause for concern but now that she was telling him things were 'cool' between them he could approve of that. He'd never wanted further conflict with her, and since he was spending more and more time with her he guessed that might be the reason why the hostilities might be ending.
"That's not also why I asked you here Gohan." Videl said, sitting back on a table.
I take it back, I'm worried again.' "Gohan, Erasa told me what's been going on, and while it's not my position to correct her on every single aspect of her life, I wanted to talk with you about it."
'SHHHHIT-!' He groaned mentally, "O-Okay. Well what would you like to talk about then?"
Videl sighed, "Gohan it's you I'm worried for. Not Erasa. I wouldn't be here talking to you, I'd be talking with her, but I needed to let you know that sometimes my friend gets herself stuck into things without thinking about the actual consequences." Sitting back, Videl leaned on a table, her head resting against the wall. "Erasa has been my best friend since I was a little girl and before the fame. It's not that I'm angry that she has taken such an interest in you. I can't fault her for that, after all you've helped her way more in school that I ever did and you do it almost effortlessly." Her eyes looked up to the fluorescent lights that were turned off. "She's a good person and I'm happy that she's happy. Just don't rush into anything either, okay?"
"What?" She looked at Gohan's expression who seemed quite perplexed.
Gohan gave her a smile before laughing, "Well it's kind of like the first time you've actually been genuinely nice to me Videl." There was little of the crass attitude, taunts, and verbal sparring that she seemed to enjoy getting into him with.
She gave him an insulted sneer. "Gohan, I can take it back if you want." It wasn't her fault, it was HIS!
"No, No, it's just well thanks Videl, and I will. Don't worry I'm not planning on getting into anything crazy. She would be my first actual girlfriend and I would like it if we could become friends."
Videl huffed, "Typical you." Gohan missed what was typical about his response. She slipped off from the desk and went to the door. Stopping, she looked back over her shoulder. "And Gohan."
"Yes?" He said, his head cocking to the side.
"We already are friends." She then opened the door and left an even more stunned Gohan behind.
[***]
Opening up the door to his penthouse home, Gohan was greeted, unusually, by Goten. His mom was absent, per usual, but Paris should be keeping an eye on him. "Bwuthha!" His kin's broken speech called out to him. Goten scampered over at a sprint. Gohan felt the hard collision on his ankle.
"Hey squirt, what are you doing out here?" Picking up Goten with one arm, letting his little brother sit perched on the side of his arm like a bird.
The apartment appeared to be maintained as normal, the usual sights appeared to be in order. Food was prepared, the living room was cleaned up. 'So where is Paris?' Gohan's usual animosity towards the nanny was only being reinforced as he carried his brother to where she was.
What he found only grew into anger. She was asleep having apparently decided to take a nap in his mother's leather chair. The vacuum was out and the usual repertoire of cleaning buckets that she used on a bi-daily basis. Her head was back and she was breathing heavily.
"Wake up!" Gohan barked, expecting her to jump, but there was no reaction. Grumbling to himself, Gohan gave the lazy good for nothing a shake. Her head lolled around before her eyes blinked. "Eh.. Wha?"
"You're sleeping on the job, my little brother was left unsupervised… PARIS." He growled at her, the young woman still appeared to be out of it as she shook her head slowly. Bringing a hand to her forehead.
Almost ready to spit in disgust, she was way too groggy for his tastes. Did she not get any sleep the night before? "Oh… I'm sorry. I ju-" Her senses were slowly returning but she seemed to be in a daze.
"Save it Paris, just get out of here. I'll take care of my brother tonight. I don't need you screwing this up."
Paris pushed herself up and she seemed a bit wobbly at first, but once she righted herself the cobwebs began to clear and the realization started to kick in. "Where is Goten?" Looking around on the ground, completely missing that he was sitting in his brother's arm.
"Heeree!" Goten cried out, waving his hands.
"Kami's sake, Paris what the hell is wrong with you? You're supposed to be looking after Goten and I don't care what your excuses are, this routine hasn't changed and you are letting my three year old brother just roam around with you sleeping!" Gohan's tone made her flinch, he was bigger than her, and he guessed that she'd been caught slacking that she'd be extra timid, which she should be!
"I'm so-" "I don't' want to hear it and you'll be damn sure that my mother will hear about it as well."
"Gohan, please, Goten is a handful I just sat down to… to rest my eyes and then I fell asleep." Paris brought her hands together to plead with him. "I just have so many bills to pay, I just shortchange myself for sleep. Please don't tell your mother, I can't lose this job."
Gohan released a sneer, his annoyance growing. "Your job? What about him?" His finger pointing to his little brother." He's your job and I don't care what your reasons are, this is my only brother. The only real piece of my family that I have left so I'll be damned if I let you put it in any form of danger. Now get out!" His finger pointing to the door.
"Gohan I can't-"
"I SAID OUT!" His voice bellowing, his hair spiked upwards from his back for a brief moment. Equally terrified, Paris scrambled out, not wanting to test the saiyan's anger. She saw how Chi-Chi got when she was angry. Seeing Gohan, a super powered teenager wasn't going to be doing her, her lifestyle, and personal well being any favors.
Once satisfied, if not pleased with himself, Gohan released a smile. "Finally she's gone, now it's just you and me Goten." He said looking down at the confused toddler who was looking between the now closed door and his older brother.
"Come on Goten, let's get some dinner and have some brother time." Gohan felt a bit chipper now that one pain in his ass was gone. After a mundane day that he'd had the demi saiyan wanted to go out and have some fun, the saiyan way. Blasting off from the top of the penthouse, Gohan flared his ki becoming a golden streak, all the while the ecstatic cries of Goten as they shot through the warm evening with a low rolling sun became their horizon. Gohan flipped around, taking his little brother on a fun flight. Letting his brother hang low from his arms as to pass on the experience of flight.
Goten would spread his arms and just cry in pure joy, the sounds he made only made his older brother smile. Forget about the day's worries, it had been such a long time since he felt free. "When's the last time we had fun like this Goten?" Asking aloud, spinning into a barrel roll, Gohan pulled his brother into his chest, they were still several miles above the ground.
"Ready to fly?" He said, Goten eagerly nodded. "Fly! Fly!" Clapping his hands, Gohan nodded and then tossed his brother forwards, whipping through a passing cloud. Gohan followed after never letting him be more than a meter or so ahead of him. Letting momentum carry him, as Goten's instincts attempted to take over and channel his ki into flight, but whatever levity he could maintain was lost with his inexperience.
He dropped slowly, the effects of inertia being overcome by gravity, gradually becoming a rock, but it was all still fun for the toddler as Gohan flew around him. Clapping excitedly, Goten watched as the ground came closer but he wasn't afraid. "FLY FLY!" Goten cheered, Gohan smiled asliping around his brother still awash in his yellow glow.
Wrapping an arm around his waist, Gohan did a quick spin before firing his brother back into the air. Breaking through the clouds only to come back down. Repeating this cycle over and over. Gohan actually felt a nice good sweat as he removed his shirt tying it around his waist so that he could feel the wind flow across his skin. Everything felt good, damn good.
For nearly thirty minutes the brothers had the time of their lives. Goten failing to fly, despite his natural instincts and Gohan working up one hell of a good workout. Getting the blood pumping in his veins was rare, and rarer was the time when he got to actually enjoy himself.
The good times when it was just him, mom, and Goten. Even if they were rough, where it was having a few sleepless nights Gohan never felt hurt by it. It was his family and his family was the most important thing to him. After the mistakes he'd already made in his young life, Gohan had matured faster than most.
Almost half a dozen near life threatening incidents had taken place, one terrible fate averted by Mirai Trunks. Yet all of that felt, simpler? Maybe he couldn't put his thoughts down correctly, as it was hard to describe what he actually felt.
When fighting for life and death from such a young age, the world's problems were trivial. Kill or be killed, fight until you couldn't fight and get stronger until no one could stop you. That was the basic premise.
But now, now he was a teenager, acting like a human and trying to be 'normal' when he was the furthest thing from normal. He could destroy Earth without really trying, hell, he could probably blow up the whole solar system, but he was spending his time doing homework, maintaining grades, and trying - though that word would be a bit of a stretch - to date girls.
High school had a level of complexity that didn't exist in any textbook. But even then, females in particular were even beyond his rationale. The girls he met and talked with had absolutely no comparison to his mother, Bulma, Launch, and hell even Android 18 made things easier for Gohan to understand. Staring down Frieza didn't seem nearly as daunting as trying to handle Erasa and Videl daily.
The idea of what he should do, and could do? There were a few books he'd read that discussed the idea of growing up, developing feelings, but they were all told by some author in some realistic fashion. While there was a lesson to be learned none of it felt practical Physics, science, math, and history all had a real world application in some measure or form. But how was reading about Holden Caulfield, or about How to Kill a Mocking Bird, and even more dated Shakespeare going to assist him in knowing what the hell to do with others?
Gohan slowed down as he caught Goten for the hundredth or thousandth time. It was hard to remember, he'd been lost in his other thoughts as he played. Descending down to the ground to let Goten rest his vocals and perhaps catch a breather as Gohan certainly needed one.
"Let's take a break lil bro, then we'll play something else alright?" Gohan asked with a hint of a strained panting in his voice. Goten nodded his head, he was sweating just as much if not more. Dropping down from the air Gohan found a nice little outcropping, one of the rivers that winded down Mt. Paozu was rolling along at a steady pace, a small settling of boulders nearby was the perfect place to drop down. One large enough to be the size of a room, Gohan fell back with Goten both of them just looking up at the clouds. Goten's head laid across Gohan's torso as his big brother just let an arm settle around him.
"It's fun out here isn't it?" Gohan asked aloud. "Yeahh!" Goten said those his voice cracked slightly, making the teen laugh.
"Goten, I wonder how things would've been if Dad wouldn't have stayed dead or if he even cares to watch over us anymore." Gohan sighed, wondering if there was really an answer for him. His brother's toddler babble went in one ear and out the other as Gohan just looked upwards. "Didn't he know about you or did he even care?" I shouldn't really be out here, it should be Dad, but, since Dad wants to stay dead for no reason that I can accept anymore I have to be my own brother's father. I have to deal with Mom's anger and try and be the perfect student at the same time. Assuming things stay quiet, if not, I have to become the world's savior yet again.
The idea of a fight, while appealing, was just a fleeting dream, because even Gohan knew once the fight was over things would probably go back to the way things were. The arrival of the saiyans, the androids, Cell, it's like the planet simply forgot these things happened.
Yet as he mulled over those thoughts, he found himself again being bothered by the image of a certain busty blonde girlfriend. Erasa… she made him feel like a child almost. She was a bit bolder and more knowledgeable about 'adult' things, even though he practically was one. Ready to turn sixteen in the upcoming month.
Fortunately, his jock classmate hadn't heard, or more correctly, Erasa hadn't blabbed about her officially hooking up with Gohan. Not that other girls hadn't taken a pass at him, a long dark haired, bulky, teen with a super famous mom. It was a hot and rare commodity.
Gohan had been the recipient of quite a few lewd and suggestive notes in his locker, along with a handful or more than… unwelcome groupings. His ass had been pinched and his err, manhood had been complimented more times. 'I sort of regret wearing the school issued gym shorts that day' Practically sporting a noticeable bulge had not been helpful. Joking other male classmates had teased Gohan about stuffing his pants but when it became common knowledge that Gohan was sporting a python between his legs, well- he just received more unwarranted attention.
But Erasa didn't care for that and apparently his now friend/enemy/companion or frienemapaion to condense the title of Videl further.
'That was also surprising. Videl said we're friends? I know it's probably because of Erasa just getting on her case to just get over it and like me but she didn't have to pull me out of class to say it. It seemed more like something she had to do for herself than just doing it for her friend.' But he'd be happier with Videl not trying to cut his legs out from under him at every opportunity. It seemed strange that after the past year and all of the conflict he'd had between himself and Videl that it would actually be over. He didn't put it past her to play some long con, but she wouldn't make a show of it. Videl was pretty in your face about her thoughts and would vocalize them loudly if she didn't like something.
Of course this all came back to square one. How the hell was he supposed to figure out how to navigate all of this.
His thoughts, however, were distracted when Goten landed on his chest. Apparently break time was over. "Pway! Pway!" His small fists hitting his older brother's torso.
"Right, right. Alright Goten." Pushing his brother off, Gohan just smirked and watched as Goten squared off with him, getting into an impractical fighting stance, after mimicking Gohan when he had trained in front of him before.
Pulling back, Gohan began throwing some play punches, putting enough force in the blows to make his little brother dodge and roll to avoid them. It's a saiyan thing.
The air around Mount Paozu was filled with punches, kicks, laughter, and brotherly banter. It was a day that Gohan had sorely been needing.
[***]
Erasa and Videl walked into school together, having worked on their student council presentation the night before over what would be acceptable for the upcoming school dance for the senior's graduation party - which all parts of the student body attended, save the after party. "We gotta be original with the theme. I hate generic, how many times do we have use under the sea, or Hollywood, or whatever lame idea people come up with." Erasa, the most fashionable of her class, had protested the use of generic and instead opted for something different.
Considering Videl was actually going to attend the dance - for once - Erasa figured a martial arts/fighter dance with people dressing up in all styles of combat outfits. It played the medieval fantasy with soldier fantasy along with those who were into technical martial arts and mixed combat together. There wasn't a jock in the school that wouldn't want to show off plus those with a bit more technical prowess or collection to dress up like some type of historical fighter. Plus with the option, though slim, of getting Hercule himself to show up would be huge. If Videl could get her dad's ear for more than fifteen minutes. Erasa couldn't imagine her dad turning down showing up to his daughter's first big dance as a young woman for an hour or so just to laugh, sign some autographs and show off. As far as Erasa was concerned that was a big win for her and the sophomores, and surprisingly Videl wasn't too opposed to the idea either. But she was the world's champs daughter. What did one expect?
"Well I think you kind of sold them, but if Dad listens to me we could probably get him to show up. I just hope he doesn't embarrass the hell out of me by bringing some date himself, or Kami forbid, some students' mom as an escort." Videl understood that her father had floozies just to hide the fact that he'd lost his wife very early in his marriage.
Her mother had been driving to work when a semi truck lost control on an ice patch, broke through a median and slammed head on into her mom's car. She'd been killed immediately and ever since then Hercule Satan had been even more verbose than usual. Her dad always liked to hide his pain and finding some random woman just happened to stop the bleeding in his heart if not for a night.
Of course becoming the world's savior had been a huge uptick in his self esteem and personal pride. People flocked around him and gave him all kinds of attention. Good and bad, but she gave her father credit, he never slipped into drinking and drugs. But that sacrifice had also been him being around for her.
Burying himself in work, training in gyms, social gatherings, and everything in between had been the only way her dad could remain unaffected by his wife's loss. Videl still remembered very little of her mother since she'd been five when the accident occured. Though she and her father and the anniversary of that day would spend the day together. Hercule Satan would shed his pompous exterior and become a mourning husband.
It helped Videl to keep seeing him as human and cutting him slack whenever he seemed to become just a little too full of himself for her taste.
(Last Year)
They were standing together, the marked grave of Mrs. Athena Satan. Her father was dressed in a dark black tuxedo, his one hand holding his daughter's as they stood together silently. Only the driver of her father's limo was the only one present. No paparazzi or media personalities bothering them per her Hercules wishes. This was his only day that he wanted to be able to spend time quietly.
No heavy laughter or overcompensating poses, punches, and kicks. Just him and his now reopened heart. His other hand wiped free one of the small tears that trickled down his face, he could never let this day go. "I shouldn't have let her drive. I knew it was too bad, why did I let her do it." The bubbling up, like every year.
Videl had told her father many times it wasn't his fault, and every year he said the same thing. She let him have it, it was his way to cope and she was here for him. "I tell myself I should've been smarter back then. I just hope that one day she'll forgive me." The ornate marble headstone had been well maintained and he could see his own pitiful reflection staring back at him.
What Videl did not realize that he wasn't directly talking about the accident. Hercule thought long and hard on this day about what led him down this path, about the choices he had made and at the time they had been correct. He gave people hope, he inspired millions more, and brought a level of peace that hadn't been around in years.
But it was all built upon the back of a very shallow lie. He had not been the one to kill Cell, he wasn't even in the same ballpark or planet as the strength of Cell and those other fighters that had been the ones to actually kill the beast.
Tricks, magic, deception, it was all a facade to fool himself. If he didn't believe it was real then there was still hope, accepting that it was true would be admitting defeat and that the world was more than likely doomed because he couldn't even fathom what was taking place in front of him.
Men who could fly, fire beams of energy capable of leveling city blocks, and a wide variety of other crazy things that couldn't be possible were seen by his very eyes.
Thinking back to when the head had started talking to him, asking him, the world champ who was shaking in his boots to go forward and throw him to the young boy who was fighting Cell and doing a decent enough job of it. Then the head was crushed underfoot by Cell, whatever it had or was destroyed and he had just stood back and watched. 'Some hero.'
Then after all of the chaos had died down Hercule stood up in front of the world and lied.
Standing before his wife he felt more ashamed, perhaps if she were still alive she could direct him on what would be the correct path. She had always been the smart one, managing his career and creating the image that was now world famous. 'It feels like I'm just carrying on your legacy but I wonder if this was all there was for me.' Covering his face, Hercule kept a barely contained sob from slipping just squeezing his forehead tightly.
A reassuring squeeze from his daughter slowly brought Hercule back, knowing that there was still a piece of his wife here, but he found himself wholly unsure of what kind of woman his beloved would've ever wanted her to be. Many times he'd asked himself was Videl being who she was because of what he had done, or was this truly what she wanted?
He was proud of her, no matter her choice, Videl was a gifted young woman but considering her mother and father it wasn't a tall order to believe that she wouldn't be great at anything she put her heart and mind to. But was that what her mother would have wanted, would his wife want to see her daughter become an image of himself.
Remaining quiet, Videl let her father grieve not able to see or hear the internal conflict going on within him. He like many fathers thought his daughter deserved the world, but struggled as a single father if what he was doing was right.
"Whenever you're ready, Dad, today is just about us." Videl said reassuring her father that she was here for him. Even when he wasn't always there for her.
Several minutes later Hercule wiped his tears away, "No it isn't just about us." Sniffing he removed his palm from his eyes, the red still visible along with the streaks along his face. "I'm sorry for not being the father you need, Videl."
"Dad, I understand." She truly did, but it didn't mean she didn't miss and need him around.
"I'll try to do better, if there's something… anything you can ask me this year and I'll do it. If I don't your Mom will never let me live it down."
(Present Day)
Videl felt that she could ask him to do this for her, but another part of her said this was kind of a low priority moment. She could slide it by him and see if he'd accept. "I'll see how he feels, but I can't make promises with my dad."
"Oh that'll still be awesome Videl, you could even do a video recording if he can't make it. That'll still be better than nothing." Erasa added, "Since we still have some time still, who do you plan on making your date for the evening or you still doing the solo girl thing?" The blonde teased her friend who rolled her eyes.
'Oh you want to know who I'll take? How about I pick your guy?' Videl paused, bringing a hand to her cheek. "You know since we already talked about it I figured that I should just pick Mr. Perfect and since the whole school seems to think so I already made my choice a few hours ago."
"Really who is it, Videl?" Erasa asked.
"Me, I just asked Gohan." Doing her best not to start smirking wickedly as she heard the footstomp on the ground next to her.
"Videl!" Erasa's face went red, she wasn't sure if her friend was joking or not, even so a highschool boyfriend was serious! "You can't ask Gohan out!"
Videl barely suppressed her grin, "I figured you wouldn't mind since you wanted us to be friends and you," Pointing a finger at her friend, "said I should be nicer to him."
Erasa threw her another mean look. "Videl, Gohan is my boyfriend, you can't ask him out before me!"
"Says who?" Videl's lips pulled into a smirk at last. The class president earned one hearty laugh as Erasa finally realized that she was being played a fool and began to berate her friend for playing games with her.
Of course the vocal outburst of Erasa being Gohan's girlfriend passed by ears that would love to give this information to a particular blond jock. Everyone knew that Sharpner had a big thing for Erasa and the no doubt exciting high school drama that could be played out if word got back that the all honor roll, top athlete Son Gohan had officially been picked up by Erasa.
Of course several other high school senior girls also had an interest in scoring Gohan as a date. The sophomore hunk had girls fighting out of sight - metaphorically speaking - that they had an interest in Gohan.
"Oh brother." A voice sang that made Sharpner go rigid. Turning back around, the blond jock met her gaze.
"Keena… Kami what are you coming over to bother me for?" Sharpner felt his Amazon of a sister standing six four, and a solid one seventy come over and put her arm around his chest from behind. She was the school's second best athlete only barely edged out by Videl, but in terms of sports and varsity letters she was the top spot earner for the girls. Her long flowing blonde hair tied with a single ponytail and solid emerald green eyes were striking if her figure wasn't enough already as she had two inches even on Sharpner without her wearing heels.
"Can't a big sister come and say hi to her widdle brother?" She mocked trying to pinch his cheek which he stopped giving her a growl which only made her laugh. Intimidating her was hard and as her position in the CLIC her social hierarchy status in school gave her even more clout than most.
"Sis." He said again agitated, he'd be tempted to slug her but she'd hit back just as hard, 'I can't wait until she graduates.'
Just smiling, she leaned closer to his ear. "I heard a juicy little rumor involving your blonde barbie doll."
"Yeah, yeah like the four million other times." Sharpner rolled his eyes already he was ready to turn out this white noise.
"Don't be so dramatic, besides if anyone you'd like to hear about Erasa's new boyfriend." Keena chuckled when her brother turned his head to look at her. "Got your attention have I?"
She certainly had some of it as Sharpner now looked at her, "Well?"
"Oh so you do care what I have to say?"
"Are you going to tell me or not?" His patience for her games was quickly wearing thin, drawing out all of his emotions and toying with him was one of her favorite past times.
"I am, but when I do I might have a favor to ask of you, considering this involves a certain Son Gohan…"
[***]
Chi-Chi returned home-earlier than she had planned - coming home to a voicemail from Paris that stated Gohan had berated her out of the penthouse after falling asleep. Of course she ripped her nanny a new one for that, but she wasn't about to kill the girl for it. Goten was a handful, and since she was working nights to make sure he was looked after, she wasn't going to blame someone for being tired. She'd been whipped many nights looking after her child.
So while Paris was going to be on a tight leash and a very short level of patience Chi-Chi had come back to find out what was making her son be so… aggressive. 'Hormones I guess, or his saiyan genes.'
But what she found were her two sons, passed out together on the sofa. It had taken an extra two days for her to get back and told her nanny to keep away from her house until she had a chance to speak with her son about what was going to happen moving forward. It dulled her anger a bit seeing Gohan snoring, his arm wrapped around his little brother who was drooling onto his white tank top.
"They really are Goku's sons." She said shaking her head. The place wasn't a mess but it wasn't spic and span as she liked. Upon speaking, Gohan's one eye blinked open. "How are things Gohan?" Her motherly tone alerting the demi saiyan that she was quite aware of what was going on.
Rubbing his eyes, Gohan quickly regained focus, "Mom? What are you doing back, you weren't supposed to be back until-"
"Family emergency." She interrupted him. "Now mind telling me what this is all about?"
'Shit, I forgot to tell her myself.' He cursed, forgetting to remind his mom. He'd just had a better time after setting off with Goten and doing things he had been used to before. Waking up early, feeding Goten, and looking after him just made Gohan feel good about himself. "Well I'm assuming since you're here, she probably told you what happened."
"She did," Chi-Chi nodded her head. "But I know my son has his reasons and I'd like to hear them, and I've already given Paris my fill about her sleeping on the job."
That took a huge blow out of Gohan's sails. But he couldn't lie, as much as he didn't want that woman around. "Well I have no idea how long she was sleeping but I found Goten strolling up to me as soon as I walked inside. Once I made her leave-" "You scared the poor girl by screaming at her." Gohan gave her a slight scowl. "Who knows what could've happened? Goten is my little brother."
"Yes and he's also my son. I care about his well being as his mother, but Gohan this is a matter you let me take care of, and Paris is only human she's not a half saiyan. If the girl got tired I understand, but there's absolutely no need to scare her."
"But-"
"Gohan, scaring a woman isn't going to fix the problem. On a side note, Paris knows about how 'unique' you two are. I want her to stay quiet on that. I can only imagine what would happen if she said that you two were half aliens, and considering she's worked for us for over two years it might give her a bit of credence." Chi-Chi's check she signed was not only for caretaking duties but also for the young woman to know when to keep her mouth shut. Fear from Gohan might've sent her away but she had a hand to play against Chi-Chi's reputation and family if she wanted.
While it may sound inconceivable, the amazing physical strength of Gohan and Goten couldn't be ignored and just one run to the tabloids could spoil their new lifestyle. Sure, she could denounce the defamed nanny, but that was probably going to just add more fuel to the fire. Plus with what Chi-Chi heard about in school and between staff as to why Gohan was so incredibly gifted, then tac on his incredible fitness and that he didn't participate in sports despite having abilities that would make any athletics jealous could only add to the stigma.
Chi-Chi could just picture the fallout, then just imaging if the secret was leaked and how Gohan and Goten were both half alien, Goku an alien. Then it would just be insane, plus her connections to Bulma and possibly people prying into her backstory and that of the mysterious man who now resided at Capsule Corp.
The mere thought was enough to give her a painful migraine. "Gohan, you are not to terrorize her, I know you don't like her but Goten likes her and she's been very good to us and this family. So I forbid you from ever doing that again."
"Mom she-"
"Gohan. This is not up for debate, as your mother I am telling you to let it go. If there's something serious in regards to your brother you will tell me first. You are not your father, you are smarter than this."
'Like Dad would've even noticed, I could be a way better father than him.' Gohan kept his personal thoughts reserved though, "Fine."
"Good, now she'll be back tomorrow and I have to fly back tomorrow for the remaining filming. Paris will be picking up Goten from daycare tomorrow, you will be dropping him off and there will be no further hostility between the two of you." Signaling the end of this pointless aggression towards the two, whether or not that would occur would be entirely up to Gohan.
Biting down his anger, the teen simply nodded, 'Once Gohan is a few years older I won't have to deal with her.' It was his only real silver lining.
Seeing his acceptance she nodded, "Alright, I'm going to change since I'll have some time before I leave tomorrow morning. Have the table set and start cleaning up this mess."
"Sure, Mom," Gohan said, his voice tired as Chi-Chi headed back to her room. The matriarch was back and he still had it ingrained upon him to do what his mother asked of him. So he did start cleaning up, leaving Goten still passed out on the sofa as he laid him back down. He'd worn Goten straight into the ground with some play training. The kind of thing he used to do with his dad, but that was back when he was actually a child.
Gohan set about cleaning up the room as his mother closed the door behind her and released a heavy sigh. "What am I going to do with him? He's never been like this so what is making all of this happen?"
She had been trying her best to be around them, but her schedule just never seemed to let up and going back to their old home just wasn't possible. Gohan was finally making friends. He was meeting girls and starting to become a man. She couldn't just cut him out from underneath and up and leave. Sure Gohan could return and see them, but what good was that going to do? Running away from one problem to cause more?
"Maybe he does need more of a father figure in his life?" Chi-Chi considered. Sure he'd had Goku, but his mom couldn't be his only source of family assurance. Nor could he just run off and see Piccolo or Goku's other friends every time he had a problem… " I also doubt that someone like Vegeta is going to be over willing to help my son. But I don't think it will hurt to try."
Going to her bathroom, Chi-Chi stripped down to her underwear and grabbed her phone. Walking into the bathroom she saw that Paris hadn't finished cleaning up as there were still paper towels and a small bag laying by the side. Tied together by a shoelace, Chi-Chi set it aside and threw the garbage in the waste bin as she dialed up Bulma's phone number.
There were options to be had and Chi-Chi was still going to see to it that her son had some male figure to look up to in his life. Since the one that meant the most to him wasn't coming back.
R&R