The stress of crying had tired Gohan and after nearly passing out against Piccolo's back, Piccolo let him sleep in his personal room of the basement. There weren't any guest rooms left and his would be less intruded on by the others. During this time, Piccolo waited in the main room. They had sent Krillin to keep watch for any signs of 18 and it wasn't a very long wait before he came back.
"She's definitely searching the town. She's passed us over more often in the past hour." Krillin explained.
"It won't be long before she finds we've been hiding here. We need to clear out and get everyone else to a safer location." Tien declared as he joined from a different room, Yamcha just behind him with a half eaten sandwich. "Vegeta, Krillin, and I will lead her away."
"I'll go this time." Piccolo stated.
"You're easily one of the strongest of us; you should-" Tien began to argue.
"Exactly. With Goku out, we should send every strongest fighter to take her." Piccolo said.
"We should also keep one of our strongest to take Gohan and Chichi to Bulma's. It's safe to bet that they don't know about Goku's condition and will still try to use his family to bait him out." Tien explained. His eyes narrowed knowingly as he said "You'll protect them better than the rest of us."
Piccolo took a deep breath before conceding. "Fine."
"What about me? How can I help?" Yamcha asked.
"You should stay with Kami and guard Goku." Tien replied. "If we can't get her to leave, you'll have to move him."
Piccolo went back to his room. He would have rather left Gohan resting longer but they were running out of time and opportunities. In the dimmed light, Gohan was nestled on a makeshift pile of cushions. It was a weak representation of his usual room upstairs but at least he had the space to offer him.
He knelt beside the pile and ran his fingers through Gohan's hair. His voice was soft as he said "Hey… we need to leave."
Gohan barely opened his eyes. Whatever world he was in a moment ago, he painfully remembered the one he lived in now. He rubbed his face and head as he sat up as if to smother the thoughts. "Sorry, I wasn't out for too long was I?"
"Considering the day's events, I don't think it was long enough." Piccolo gave a small smile before it quickly died back to his usual scowl. "I'm going to take you and your mother to the Brief's estate."
Gohan slowly nodded. Of course. Set aside somewhere else, out of the way… and safe. "And my father?"
"We can't move him safely yet but if everything goes to hell here, they'll bring him to the estate as well." Piccolo explained.
"Can you promise to protect him?" Gohan asked. "I just want to hear it please. I won't ever hold you responsible if… anything happens."
Piccolo sighed. "I would make that promise to you except I'm going with you this time."
Gohan felt hurt. Perfect, it's like I'm a child again. "I know I made a mistake. I won't run into anything again. You don't have to watch me."
"Calm down, it's not because of what you did. 18 is hovering over the area too closely, she could find us down here at any moment. Everyone is splitting into different tasks and mine is to stay with you and Chichi." Piccolo replied. He then whispered so silently, Gohan nearly missed it. "Besides… It'll be nicer to see you everyday and know for fact that you're alright."
Gohan felt his face flush at the comment, a guilty thought tugging him to a better mood. I guess I wouldn't turn that down.
"And while we're there, doing nothing in such a large estate," Piccolo continued "I want to have that talk you requested."
"Talk? Right." Gohan recalled what he needed to say, his heart picking up pace though his chest still ached of the days stresses. "I did uh… request training though. There was just something I want to say in addition… and if it upsets you, you can just hit me real hard while we're at it."
"You asked for training aloud, when everyone could hear you. You mentioned wanting to say something in your head, where it was just you and me." Piccolo replied. "Training was a cover."
Gohan rubbed his neck and glanced away. Piccolo was right and he couldn't argue it. "We could always still fit training into that time."
"We could." Piccolo smirked with a chuckle in his chest. "Maybe I'll consider it on the way there."
"Right." Gohan nodded and stood ready to leave.
After a few roughly argued explanations with Chichi, she finally agreed to leave Goku and stay at Bulma's estate. The three of them moved cautiously through the town, avoiding any open space and keeping energy low; undetected was the goal. After reaching the edge of town, they heard an explosion far behind them.
"They must be fighting her off now." Piccolo said.
"Is it safe enough to fly then? We'd get to Bulma's faster." Chichi asked. There wasn't any sarcasm or condescension in her voice; she knew Piccolo was a better strategist and she had been housekeeper and mother for too many years to out think him in a legitimate battle.
"She could still lock onto any energy we expend. Even if she chooses not to follow us now, it would give them directions to our destination." Piccolo explained. "Don't worry about time or walking the entire way. Vegeta contacted Bulma before we left and she's arranged a carriage for us. We'll most likely run into it before the next town."
Gohan agreed silently. He had already cost them the safety of their own home and even Kami's church; this time he'd do everything Piccolo told him. Remembering the condition his father was in already pushed the lesson harder into his head to never take that risk again.
Gohan had guessed that two hours had passed in awkward silence. The view of the town disappeared long ago taking any form of conversation with it. Gohan kept his eyes to any greenery around them, trees, shrubs, flowers. Anything that could keep him from glancing at Piccolo, whom he knew kept glancing to him. He was sure concern still riddled the man's thoughts and he tried to hide how tired or upset he was. He wanted to think and talk about anything else but the only other topic now roaming his head was one he wasn't prepared to say with his mother only a few feet in front of them.
When a carriage suddenly came into view ahead and fast approaching, Gohan felt his entire body sigh. They could finally make the trip in shorter time.
"I came as fast as I could. Glad to see you all safe." Hercule chimed out, sitting in the driver seat and holding the reigns to the horses.
"I didn't expect to see you driving us." Chichi said.
"I have to do whatever I can to help with the current crisis and I'm not above the small tasks." Hercule bragged with a hearty chuckle. "Hurry on in, there will be more than enough time for chat when we get back."
Chichi was first to seat with Gohan to follow, sitting on the opposite side. Piccolo climbed in last, setting himself beside Gohan. Gohan blushed at the closeness and remembered that carriage rides could usually be a bit unsteady. Shoulders and elbows bumping with any person right beside you. Oh this might actually be worse. Wasn't today bad enough? Do we really need to add any more embarrassment?
He fought all reaction from appearing on his face when Piccolo's leg nudged his, and stared out the window like his life depended on it. Maybe it'll be a short ride.
"If you're still tired, you can sleep on the way there. I know you didn't get enough time earlier." Piccolo suggested. "You'll feel better when you regain your energy."
"Hmm? I'm fine." Gohan replied quickly and returned to the view passing by in the window.
"You look tense." Piccolo stated firmly.
"He's right dear. Get some sleep before your brother runs you ragged when we arrive." Chichi smirked but didn't look away from the small embroidery she had pulled from her pocket. "He'll be all too excited to see you again."
"I'm sure I can handle it. It probably wouldn't be too comfortable to rest in here anyway." Gohan said.
Piccolo glared at him. "Why are you fighting it so hard?"
Gohan was startled to hear Piccolo's voice in his head but composed himself and replied. "It's a small space. I don't want to impose. I promise I'll be fine enough to wait until we get settled at the estate."
"'Impose'? It's just me and your mother. You don't have to be well mannered all of the time. It's been a bad day, you are allowed to just relax." Piccolo argued.
Gohan almost huffed audibly; he could use that same line sometimes against Piccolo. He knew his face was burning at being cornered and the images of the last sleep he had around Piccolo seared fresh in his head. "I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable. Apparently I cuddle in my sleep."
Piccolo stiffened and snapped his attention to his own window. "Fine."
Gohan sighed at Piccolo's yield to the argument. He tried to calm himself until he felt the neck of his shirt pulled, forcing him to fall towards Piccolo; his head in Piccolo's lap.
"Take the damn nap." Piccolo almost growled the command.
Gohan tried to sit up and look to him but he was held down with Piccolo bearing just enough on his arm. He tried to communicate telepathically "But-"
"I said fine. Now sleep." Piccolo replied.
Gohan glanced to Chichi who didn't even seem to notice the event and just hummed as she stitched, her face mostly obstructed by the project. He knew sleeping was going to be a challenge now as his blood raced through him. He covered his face with his arm and forced his eyes closed; desperately attempting to clear his head but the warmth of Piccolo was inviting to him. The scent flooding his attention as he tried to ignore the soft legs beneath his face and fingers. I don't think it's ok for me to enjoy this so much right now… but damn is it nice.