Author's Notes: I'm starting this thing where I write ficlets/drabbles below 1k twice or thrice a week to stop my writer's block. Let's see how far I'll go.
I got this prompt from an app called Inspirator
Prompt #1: Nice God
Date: Nov 17, 2022
Prompt #1:
Nice God
Being the Kami of Earth comes with a lot of contradictions.
Firstly, you're at the literal and figurative top of the world with all the Earthly knowledge inside your little head, but it isn't something you're allowed to share to the people of the lower realm or use it for them unless the planet is in peril. You can and will see every colorful and magical place on Earth every single day but your loadwork and necessary existence prevents you from experiencing them for yourself.
Yours is the most sought name yet the easiest to forget; you're the most known and the most unknown. You're nothing to the people yet they often call your name.
And most painfully, you can hear them beg for you but you can only interfere if it promises an extinction.
There are…many more things that Dende wishes he can do; more people that he wishes to help. But the restrictions of being a guardian cuffs his wrists and seals his mouth. It's a difficult thing. The matter weighed so much in his heart that he discussed it with his mentors: Mr. Popo and Piccolo…
And they both understood!
Dende, in the first place, is a child. Although there were no rules in place that prohibits a child to be Kami, it wasn't favorable; for both the gravity of the position and the Kami-to-be themself. Both the adults have called his skills and dedication exemplary and his potential surpasses all the former guardians but they agreed that it still isn't fair. Dende is far too young to leave his life on the lower realm and isolate himself from society; there's more to experience and live for.
Not to mention, Dende was chosen to be Kami by a mortal and hadn't even been enlightened of the responsibilities and burdens beforehand. His barely-a-year life on the planet was surely what he agreed to live here for, not to be Kami.
But, as if mirroring the contradictions of the position, there is a part of him that still wants to be Kami. Or at least he believes being Kami is something that he'll be really good at.
To be able to confirm on his own whether this is what he actually wanted, he pleaded for a compromise: to live a life on Earth before choosing his path. To his surprise, it wasn't a difficult decision for the duo to make; Piccolo was reinstated as Kami for the time being and Mr. Popo encouraged him to visit.
And here he is in the present; wearing a long-sleeved sweater, comfortable pants, and a beanie cap to hide his Namekian features—minus his ears and claws— pretending to be a Monster-Earthling and doing communal work in an (exploited) impoverished village.
His heart is awashed with tender warmth as a seven-year-old's smile shone brightly with the giddiest "thank you" he can muster after being able to breathe better after a long while. Dende's hand, after wiping his forehead from exhaustion, flies on his chest and returns a genuine fanged smile as the kid runs towards his mother.
"Great work!"
Dende greets the cheerful and sweet voice of his best friend with the toothy grin glued to his face and Gohan automatically mirrors it as his cheeks gain a shade of pink. He scratches his nape that was hidden by a single braid from the hair he's grown for the last three years of relative peace. Dende still thinks it's funny that no amount of effort in tying his hair can tame the spiky bangs poking out his head. Hair is weird, he concludes.
"Uhh, you should take a break. Here!" From where the cuff of his blue long-sleeved Tang suit ended is a flask with lukewarm water that Dende gleefully takes.
"Thanks!" He drinks in one swig as he basks under the bright sun while Gohan sits beside him on the shaded part—via umbrella— of the cushions placed on a wide thick mat, crossing his legs comfortably with the help of his dark stretchy pants. Dende sighs as he wipes his mouth with his sleeve. The sun definitely replenished him better up the lookout.
He unconsciously pointed his covered antennas at the sky where the palace would be with a somber expression. If only he could wear less to absorb the energy of the sun better, he'd be able to heal more people too.
Dende distractedly claws into the bottle as his mind dwells on the whys and the whats.
What's the point of being here if he's still unable to lend the people all the help they need? Why must his heart be indecisive about a grave matter like this? Why does he allow himself to be selfish and leave Mr. Popo and Piccolo expecting that he'll take the position? Why does he even want to be Kami in the first place knowing full well that he will never be able to protect the Earth from dangerous ill-intentioned individuals across the galaxy?
"Hey…"
The Namekian snaps out of his darkening thoughts and turns to his friend.
Gohan's knowing deep onyx eyes glint in equal worry and sincerity. "I think not diving into something that will affect a lot of people half-heartedly already means that you really care about it…" he pauses for a while and grins with his eyes, "...you have a good heart, Dende."
Dende blinks. And then blinks again. His mouth opens to say something but then just curves into a thankful smile.
"Maybe it's a little too early to be thinking of tomorrow."
Author's Notes: Actually this fic took inspiration from an AU I planned a series for where Dende wasn't currently Kami. It of course doesn't exist anywhere but in my mind and my idea drafts.
Constructive criticism on grammar, pacing, and character writing are welcome any day!
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR READING, I HOPE BOTH SIDES OF YOUR PILLOW IS COLD WHEN YOU SLEEP!