Chapter 7: Not So Bad
A/N: A delayed update but more to add onto the pile. Hope you're all enjoying it.
"You ask for my forgiveness? I will not hate you or be hostile towards you considering all that you've done. But I will not forgive you, the excuse that you don't remember only tells me that I was a throwaway. That it had no meaning. You want my forgiveness? Then EARN it!"
Chi-Chi hadn't said anything more about it since that night, Goku didn't try pressuring her either. He knew that she was still rightly angry, but she was at least being, well, nice-er? Letting him touch her, clean her wounds and even helping her into the water to bathe her down by the lake.
The feeling of being around someone like this, the idea of sharing personal space with a girl had never really entered his mind. Yet Chi-Chi and Gohan were there, waking up to them and caring for them. This was what a family was.
Seeing that Bulma had never really been family, he could make the comparison that Master Roshi was family like Krillin and Launch. He spent a lot of time with them, but this felt completely different. He was just with them to train and get stronger. They had become good friends, close due how many months they had been together.
This was different, like viewing things from a whole new perspective. Because it was nothing like when he was trapped in that other dimension with Piccolo. They both hadn't been nice at first to each other. Piccolo often taking cheap shots to get his point across that Goku was being lazy or lax considering their circumstances.
Then even to his early days traveling with Bulma, she sorta brought him along for the ride. She was sorta like a teacher to him at first. The dos and don'ts of the world were a foreign concept for him at a time. This felt more like his time with Grandpa that was his family, that was a clearer distinction.
Taking a few memories and using them with Chi-Chi, talking about the weather, the way the day looked and felt. It was the small talk that he got to enjoy when not talking about other things that she needed. Since both of their recoveries had been stunted due to their injuries it was probably safer to take things slow. Chi-Chi had suggested that Goku not go taking off until he was certain that he was better, it also made him smile a bit. If he had fallen out after taking off or got lost where would that leave her and Gohan?
Sure, Chi-Chi had the ability to get up easily, walk around, lift small things without causing her body any major discomfort. A far cry from the bed-ridden woman who needed her son to help her get up after a few minutes of trying.
It was the small hope that she had given him that told him that maybe after this was over that she and him could be friends again. Even if she was loud, bossy, and demanding at times. Chi-Chi only said things that made sense to him. Explaining to him why she needed tampons had been simple enough.
Freaking out that Chi-Chi had started bleeding for no reason had spooked him and he was looking to bandage her when she forcefully told him that he didn't need to do anything. That she was having a period.
The female body is way different than boys. In a strange way, it was like training. He got to learn how to handle new things, granted there were a couple… dozen things he probably didn't want to learn but it helped.
Cleaning up after Gohan used the bathroom, which he had proudly made. The basic idea for an outhouse made sense. Dig big hole. Set large box over hole with a door to lead to large box covering said large hole. It wasn't pretty but Chi-Chi said she'd take it over relieving herself in the woods. Though to be fair he never heard her relieve herself, she often pooped.
Then cleaning clothes, how to use detergents, making a clothes line so they could dry with clothespins. All of these things he never really bothered with before hand. Normally he'd just get new clothes or stitch up pieces until they fell apart.
He found it enjoyable since it was all three of them doing it. Well, Chi-Chi mostly instructing him and Gohan trying to imitate him. It was during these times he wondered what Chi-Chi was thinking, he saw her eyes on him and Gohan a lot when she thought he wasn't looking. These were sparring glances, mostly out of the corner of his eye or when she was a bit far away.
She'd catch him staring and then either look away or scold him for doing something wrong.
He wasn't even upset about that though, in fact it made this whole living arrangement fun! Plus he also had a great coach helping him in how to make Chi-Chi happy: Gohan. His son had taken an instant liking to him provided that he got to get to do certain things that his mom clearly didn't approve of. But it was all for a good cause, Gohan wanted his mom to be happy and feel better since the incident.
Sometimes Goku would catch her crying when he left to do errands or go off with Gohan so she could have some space. He knew how she felt though, when he lost Grandpa and was left alone he had to cry a few times but after a while he got used to being alone. By then of course he didn't have the knowledge of the dragon balls. He probably would've used them to revive his Grandpa had he known. But that was neither the time or place.
He was busy clearing out the interior of the cabin with all the hay. He was doing 're moodelling' or something. Chi-Chi just said she wasn't having her and her son sleep on a bed of hay or have a wood and dirt flooring for the week or so that they'd probably still be out here.
Once they were well enough, Goku would take them to a doctor to get checked out and then after that make their way to start their journey to find the dragon balls.
The anticipation of another adventure was making him excited, he just couldn't wait!
In the meantime… Goku laid down planks of wood before taking a nail and pushing it down into the wood. The act so simplistic but he got to see his progress, it was kind of like training in a way.
He made the floor a bright pine shade for now. Doing row after row in a short order, then going back outside to grab a layer of padding. Chopping the green foam in half before laying it overtop of the wood he had just created then using his ki to form it properly to the foundation with a little heat.
Once that was finished, he rolled out the new carpeting, a drab gray color that was pretty soft. It didn't take much effort just tearing the corners until it fit.
All in all it took him maybe fifteen minutes to lay the wood and reset everything and once he stood back in the doorway and looked at his work he actually smiled. Proud of himself, he'd never done this type of thing before, it was interesting to see how he could make things like this so easily. Granted, Chi-Chi had spelled things out pretty simply for him to follow so that was a huge plus.
"Okay now I just need to do this insill..sula… Suuulation?" He said, not familiar with the foreign word or the bright pink squishy padding that Chi-Chi told him kept things warm. Since they weren't going to be building fires inside this was what was supposed to help with that. He didn't get it but why doubt Chi-Chi?
Lining the inner walls with the padding which came in nice fluffy rolls and then punching a nail through it into the wall, Goku had the entire place covered in no time at all.
He then set about finishing up some plywood to cover it so they didn't breath in the stuff, Chi-Chi had told him it was good for but bad for people to breath in.
As Goku set about doing his task, Chi-Chi who had been standing back watching Goku work, felt herself watching him intently. She did not make her presence known as she was about twenty or so meters from him.
'What is it about you that drives me to stop and stare, what is this hold that after so many years you still keep me here wanting to go back to your side?' Her inner monologue not helping the beating of her heart either. He'd done all of her requests without complaint, a smile on his face and a polite 'you're welcome' when she approved of it.
She brought a hand to her chest, watching him work so fluidly, his expression never changing from that young cheeky grin that he had given her back when they were children. There was a beating there, a murmur of her heart that she had long thought dead and buried. 'Is this always who you have been? Is this all that you really are?'
For the years after he had left her she had done everything in her power to demonize him, hate him, berate every single good thing that had once been her love and admiration for his traits and qualities. But in such a short amount of time she had questioned these same thoughts and feelings. Was there ever a moment where Goku was not genuine?
No.
He'd never lied to her, sure her proposed marriage had been a falsehood but because he did not understand. Once pressured he quickly conceded to their promise. Surpassing everything that she had once thought possible about her love for him. Refusing to back down, be defeated, and taking everything that Piccolo's son could throw at him and come out on top. After he'd won and seeing him so happy…
Casting off Kami's intentions of making him the new guardian of Earth. Telling Kami, KAMI, no thank you and grabbing her hand and taking off to go find her father. In that moment she had her heart beating out of her chest. Goku had turned that down to be with her.
'Is that why I still feel for you? That as much as I hate everything that you've done to me, that at your core you've never been anything but what I've seen. You told me that a new threat was more important than me, that getting back at Piccolo was now more serious than me.' Chi-Chi struggled to control her thoughts which began treading back into a place she didn't want to go. Because if she crossed that thin line, if she dropped off that cliff there would be no coming back from it.
It terrified her, made her worry that she might actually do something so foolish as to forgive his faults. But the other prospect of it was even more thrilling, it made her body yearn for something. To be loved by Goku, to be his.
Right now she was, but once this was over that would be it. Wouldn't it? Goku promised to get the dragon balls and undo all of the terrible damage the moon had caused to her and her village. 'When everyone is back, what will that leave us with?' Chi-Chi was concerned that she might want to stay with Goku. Despite the absurdity of any such feelings even existing.
'Why does he make me feel this way? No matter how much I try and hate him, it's never increased since he came back. Seeing him in this way makes it seem like he's not affected by anything I've said before.
Whenever anyone else messed up there was a lot of begging, pleading, crying, moping, and attempts to earn her pity. With Goku, there was nothing of the sort, he went about his day doing what she told him with a smile no matter her request.
'What am I going to do?'
Chi-Chi didn't want this to happen yet at the same time she did. Something had to be wrong with her. 'Maybe once this is over I can let go of this. He can leave and do whatever he wants and this… thing can just be done with.'
She departed before allowing herself to sink further into that state of mind. Heading back to where Gohan was currently bathing himself in the streams and cleaning himself with some much needed soap. Her little boy had begun to stink, and she was not going to be that mother that allowed her child to smell, no matter the circumstances if she could help it!
Missing the fact that Goku saw her leaving as she held her hand still very close to her heart. Goku could only grin, this only confirmed what he already knew.
Gohan was right.
[***]
The toddler looked up to his mother as she came by with a fresh white towel. Happily raising up his arms, he cheerfully laughed as his mother dried him off. "You really are a wonderful Gohan," she knelt down in front of him as he grabbed the edges of the cloth. "No matter what you've made your mother so very proud. I will never let anything happen to you, I promise sweetie." Pressing a kiss into his forehead he came closer, his slightly damp hair pressing into her chest as she held him.
Her son had been the joy of her life, his rapid development had always stunned so many people. Perhaps she could attribute it to his environment but she'd be leaving out that the other half of what made Gohan, Gohan. Was nothing like him except in his energy.
Bringing up the towel to dry his hair he tucked his head so that she could properly get every bit of it, the little genius from his early days had begun catching onto everything people were doing around him and mimicking them in hours at most and minutes at least.
In less than six months Gohan learned to talk, in eight months he was walking though his body allowed him to go faster thanks to his tail.
Before he'd even turned one he had learned how to read and do math. His mind was a gift and Chi-Chi and Kenyo had devoted so many resources into building it that her little boy was going to be a prodigy before he turned five. That was so important to her, but as she could revel in how good her son was, she could also view what he had lost…
"Momma?" His head tilting up, exposing her eyes to the same rich brown.
"Hmm?" She replied, grabbing his pants for him to put on.
"Momma, why don't you like daddy?" Gohan asked to which Chi-Chi sighed and shook her head.
"Gohan I love your father, Kenyo is a great man. I know he's not with us, but I still like him and I know you do too." She wondered if Gohan had been thinking that since he hadn't seen her husband that he might believe that she wasn't feeling anything for him.
With Goku filling in almost like a surrogate she-
Gohan tugged on her hand, "I heard you Momma." That night when she thought he was asleep, he hadn't been able to. He was holding close to her and breathing softly when his mom and dad started talking. "Momma, you said that he," pointing in the direction of the little shack, " was my father, is that true?"
Dear gods, he was listening to that! She was caught completely off guard she stuttered, "Gohan, it, well… I." This wasn't the conversation she was prepared for. Explaining to her son that his dad wasn't his dad, but that his dad was a totally different person.
He pressed his bottom lip upwards giving his mother a look that told her two things, that he knew very clearly what he was talking about and that he wanted her to tell him the truth.
She closed her eyes and brought her son close into a deep hug. "Honey… it doesn't matter, who your father is doesn't change anything, Kenyo raised you to be the man who you are." She began to choke up, more tears reaching the edges of her eyes, that struggle to maintain her composure. How could she lie to her son? A mother couldn't, but what would telling him the truth change?
I just want… I just want… What did she want? The normal life she had before, where she had been consumed at the prospect of revenge and payback against Goku. Living with Kenyo in her father's village and raising Gohan.
Or was it the temptation, that forbidden fruit of paradise that was just dangling within just a few more inches of her reach. Like teetering on a cliff to grasp and pull in that dream that had once consumed her growing up.
Drag back down her suffering and bottle up what had been her life for the past three years or, did she not? It was not a choice she even wanted to make. But someone else could.
Stroking his hair with her hand, Chi-Chi nuzzled her head against his. "Gohan… what… what do you want? We can have Goku be your father, or did you not like Kenyo being your dad?"
"No I liked Kenyo, but Momma, Goku is so nice. He's funny likes to talk, and he really wants to make us all happy. He's a nice person, he doesn't get mad or upset like Grandpa and other people. He smiles and tells me to be strong and good for you because he wants you to like him."
Gohan pressed his nose into his mother's shoulder, "I don't care who my daddy is, I just wantto be with you. I want to be happy with you again, Momma."
"I know, I know sweetheart." She kissed his cheek, her tears breaking out. Chi-Chi couldn't understand how easily her son wore her down, but then again there was no one like her son. "Our lives have changed a lot. It won't be like it was before, but as long as you're okay I'll do what you want Gohan. I treasure your happiness."
"If Momma is happy then I'll be happy." Gohan told her, his words only further reminding Chi-Chi of Goku.
For her, her child wishing for her happiness over his own. It felt like a pill too hard to swallow. But Goku had done things for her without asking for anything, giving her aid while asking for nothing in return.
'What do I do? What do I do?!'
The rest of the day slowly passed, Goku having finished his little task in a short amount of time - compared to that of a regular person - "So Chi-Chi what do yah think?" He said, grinning as she looked inside. The place looked completely different; there was carpeting and actual interior walls. But the improvement was actually two futons, one for Goku and the other for Chi-Chi and Gohan to share.
Aside from the obvious lack of finesse and the rough edges there was little to complain about, Goku had taken her advice and done something remarkable. "It's, it's nice Goku." She said, looking to him and slightly nodding her head.
"I'm not much for the building of things, but I think I got the hang of it." Goku moved and stretched his back and arms. He'd been itching to get out and stretch today he was feeling better as the days had gone by. While he couldn't quite get airborne just yet he was able to make a decent jogging pace without feeling his legs ready to go out. The aches and pains still lingered but he felt a hundred times better.
Popping several kinks and cracking his knuckles. "Hey Cheech I'll just be off for a bit. Going to get some stretches and a light training regimine in before dinner alright?"
He cast a backwards glance towards her as she just nodded, "That's fine just don't let dinner spoil since I'm cooking tonight."
It had been awhile for her but she felt up to the task, not that she really trusted Goku around a large open pitfire and several boiling cauldrons thanks to the propane gas grill he'd found the other day.
That and she was just tired of feeling useless, her body was getting better, thanks in part to whatever had changed her so much since she had Gohan but overall she just wanted to do something. Plus it wasn't like she couldn't cook, she had prepared herself to handle the duties of her father's maids and cooks when she at one time had thought she wouldn't need them.
At least now she was thankful for having bothered to take those lessons to heart. Now she was really going to need them.
"Momma!" Gohan cried out running towards her from the small path. "Momma, Momma, Momma!" Each utterance was more excited than the last.
"Yes, Gohan, what did you get yourself into?" Turning back as he grabbed at her sweatpants.
"I found him! I found him!"
"Who?"
*Squawk!* A flutter of pinkish purple came through the air and Chi-Chi's instincts caught it as he nearly barreled into her. "Oh my-!" A long tongue extended out to lick her shoulder and neck. "Hello Icarus." The little beast squawked again before she set him back down. "I see why you were so excited."
"Yeah! I haven't seen him, but I have him back!" Gohan announced, proudly grabbing his 'friend' around the neck. "Can he stay? Please Puweeeheeze!?" He begged giving his mother the full pouty lips, puppy dog eyes and pathetic expression that was designed to crush a mother's heart.
Sighing, Chi-Chi knew it was probably not the best of ideas but Gohan probably needed his friend to play with. "He can stay-" "YAY!" Gohan jumped upwards excitedly. "-But he can't come inside, he can be outside in the hay that Goku put out."
"Aww," Gohan half whined.
"Gohan, we don't have enough room inside for him, he can be outside and he'll be fine, okay honey?" She patted his head and his frown turned back into a smile.
"Okay," He relented, kissing his mom as she leaned down towards him. "I'm going to keep playing then?"
"That's fine, just make sure I can see you." Chi-Chi told him, though the instant she turned back to making dinner the two of them took back off into the forests. Their roughhousing grew louder and allowed her to locate where they were far easier than it would if she was trying to actually see them.
She spent another twenty or thirty minutes finishing up. "Dinner!" She called out and without missing a beat Gohan and Goku reappeared.
Taking a full breath in with his nose, "Oh man it smells great Chi-Chi!" He put a hand on her shoulder taking another strong whiff of the aromas. "If it tastes as good as it smells then I can't wait!" Releasing her from his touch Goku walked over the small stumps they had set up as a makeshift eating area. He could've gotten them a proper table but he didn't plan on them staying out here more than a couple more days.
Hoping that once he recovered he would get Nimbus back and then return to take both of them to go find Bulma and get the dragon radar. Goku knew that Bulma wouldn't turn him down in that regard, it was for a really good reason he needed it. Then he could start another fun adventure, that also being with Chi-Chi would be all the more reason to make everything up to her.
Sitting there smiling, he watched as Gohan and Icarus still roughed around with one another while Chi-Chi fixed a full plate of food on some paper plates. "Gohan!" Her voice rising to a snap brought the two out of play mode.
"Here, now go sit down and eat. No more carrousing until you've eaten and waited thirty minutes. I don't need you getting cramps or an upset stomach."
"Okay…" Gohan sighed but happily took his plate and plopping down to where Goku was sitting began digging right in.
Chi-Chi then filled up two other plates and then brought them both over. Offering Goku one which he took and then she sat with her own. All three parties save Icarus were happily eating away, their voracious appetites only increasing.
Spooning in large mouthfuls Goku almost groaned. "Mannn… Chi-Chi this is so good! This is way better than the stuff I eat. How do you make this so tasty?" He'd already downed half a plate as Chi-Chi had polished off a third but was trying to maintain a level of decorum despite her hunger.
"I learned how, it's not too difficult." Her eyes flicking to Goku for a moment then back to Gohan. 'This just feels strange.' Taking another bite, 'Is this what it would've been like?'
Picturing herself at a table, Goku on one side, Gohan on the other. The two of them sharing a nice evening meal in their own home. The day's struggles now gone as they got to enjoy each other's company. She, the perfect wife, making the day's meals with Goku doing the yardwork and providing for the family while they raised their amazing little boy together. It was all that she had ever really wanted as a girl growing up.
"Chi-Chi?"
She looked to him, he was staring at her concerned. "Chi-Chi are you okay?" He set his food down as Chi-Chi realized what was going on. 'Damnit I can't be crying over this!'
"I'm fine just… Just give me a moment." Chi-Chi set aside her plate and just made a beeline to the nearest place to just be alone for a few moments. Barely making it twenty meters before she stopped behind a tree. Covering her face she let out a slight wail into both of her palms. "None of this should be happening, so why is it? Why can't I-"
Her words were stopped as she felt someone nearby, but she could tell who it was. "Goku… please just leave me alone, I need some time away from… from you."
"No." Goku told her coming closer. She had her back to a tree and he put himself right in front of her. "I'm not going to leave you Chi-Chi. I know something is bothering you and it's not just me." Putting both of his hands on her arms he felt her go rigid. "Chi-Chi what's wrong, talk with me. I can feel that deep down you're hurting and I can't understand why."
He was doing everything that she asked of him, fixing the house, taking care of getting things. But still Chi-Chi never seemed to be happy, she never got better when they talked or spoke. There was no more outright hostility between them, yet he could still sense that something was off.
Keeping herself hidden, acting as if he didn't notice her eyes on him, then she would go about her day while pausing and watching him at the same time. There was still something that wasn't coming out, he wanted to know what it was.
"You wouldn't understand!" She growled, trying to be intimidating but her threats fell flat on Goku. He wasn't like other men, there was nothing she could do or say that would make him back down. "Please just leave me alone."
"No, I won't let you hurt Chi-Chi, I want to see you happy. If there's a problem tell me what it is so I can help. I know I'm not the best when it comes to feelings and stuff like that but I'll listen to you Chi-Chi. I want to be here for you."
She shook her head, "Stop saying things like that, you don't even know what you're talking about! I never mattered to you before so please stop acting like the Goku I wanted-" The words had come before her brain had the chance to stop them.
Too late.
She slumped down slightly but Goku held her up. "Chi-Chi… I thought this is what you wanted?"
"It is! All of this is all that I wanted, I didn't want to lose my entire village, my father, and another man who has loved me for years to get it though! But you don't see that do you!" She grabbed at his shirt, her head falling forward slightly. "Everyday I look at you, everyday I see what I had been wishing for. But this is all pretend, none of this is really you. This is only because you feel guilty about something that you say you don't even remember."
She trembled as she let her emotions begin to free themselves. Everything about this was wrong, but there was another half of her almost wanting this. When she no longer wanted revenge, what had it be consumed by: wanting.
She wanted Goku again. If she couldn't have payback against him then what else would there be? What if this was the love that she had been craving for so long, to have his eyes, to have his body and mind devoted to her. Even if they had broken apart that didn't change her memories. Holding onto them so tightly for so many years had only furthered her desire for him.
It is what she had come to learn shortly after his arrival those weeks ago. She might have loved Kenyo, but she didn't need him, didn't crave his attentions and affections like she had this man. It was why she was hating herself, because her rational mind told her that wasn't right. But her other side, that darker more primal side had come screaming to take this. Give her something... no someone who deserved her.
But why Goku, why him again? I just don't- I can't, why do I want to do it!
A gasp escaped her lips before she could stop it, her head was pressed against a warm chest. A pair of powerful arms wrapped around her back and squeezed her gently. One hand cradled the back of her head, the other held the back of her waist.
"I'm not leaving you or Gohan." He told her, the low seriousness of his voice leaving little to doubt the truth, he was meaning every single word. "I know how you feel, you're struggling to move forward. It's how I felt after losing Grandpa. But I want you to know that I will be here, I won't let you do this by yourself. You and Gohan are important to me even though I haven't really said it. But when I found you I blamed myself for letting that monster nearly kill you…"
His hands tightened more, "I let that thing take Grandpa from me, then because I wasn't smart enough to be nearby you I wasn't prepared again and it hurt you and so many people." There was a short pause as he stared straight ahead. "I know I didn't really understand what had happened between us that made you so mad. But after living out here for this past week I think I'm getting it, this is the type of life I had with Grandpa. The one he raised me in, it's what you wanted but I didn't know that this was what it was, but being out here with you and Gohan. Waking up with someone and having someone who's depending on you, I think I get it Chi-Chi. You wanted me close, you wanted to have a family," the words while familiar were almost strange. "I thought that my friends were sort of like my family, but they aren't like you. They aren't like Gohan either, I worry about you two when I'm gone and some nights I'm worried about what we'll do if the monster comes back. I want to be here, I don't want to leave, please Chi-Chi if you're worried about me leaving I swear on my Grandpa that I won't, that I will never abandon you or Gohan."
He didn't want to let them go, in those moments where he was reminded of the smaller things that occurred between him and Piccolo when they were trapped. The world and all of the things he once took for granted or a certainty were never guaranteed. Not when evil roamed the world, there was always something that threatened to rip that peace apart, but he wanted to enjoy his life more when he got back.
I was seeking adventure. I just didn't know that there was something… more. Seeing them only reminds me of the times when I was really happy. When it was just me and Grandpa the world didn't matter.
When it's been the three of us, the world doesn't matter. I don't care about tomorrow, I just want to be here I want to have that feeling again.
Chi-Chi's hands turned into fists at Goku's side. She wanted to strike him, fall to her knees and cry, wrap her arms around him and squeeze, a hundred different thoughts were running through her head. Which was the right answer?
In a logical world she would've made the logical choice. In an illogical world she would've made the wrong choice. Chi-Chi was overwhelmed, it wasn't a confession of love, but of understanding. He knew her pain, he wanted to take it away and stay with her and share this experience with her and their son. No matter how crude, angry, or crass she had been with him Goku didn't hold it against her. Goku only smiled and took it on the chin.
Embraced by the man she loved, told that he would never leave her. Her heart decided to take action. She turned into his face, and did not waste another moment.
Goku's eyes went wide, her hands were wrapped around his neck, the hard grip of her fingers along his scalp and the intense pressure now forced against his lips. It took him several seconds to understand. He kept her close backing her into the tree so that they might share a kiss.
Her lips moved against his hungrily, as if wanting nothing more than to eat him. The feeling of her chest heaving against him. The taste, the smell. Why is it overwhelming?! Was it like this before? Kami… I just need him right now.
Her tongue pushed forward and Goku's responded, the two of them swapping a frenzied kiss as Goku felt himself being sucked closer to her. A pull from somewhere deep inside of him - A flash of moonlight, the taste of lips upon his own, the smell of a warm body that tingled his nose and created a burning in his loins. There was someone beneath him - Goku broke the kiss, taking a moment to breath though Chi-Chi took it the same as she did.
"Oh God, what came over me. I-I," She stammered as she could see the surprise on his face as well, but missing that it wasn't from their kiss. She might not have wanted it too happen like this and yet…
"We should go back." Goku said withdrawing from her, Chi-Chi's hands let go of him and the two looked at one another, they were still close and the streak of red across the other's face did little to diminish what had just transpired.
"Ye-Yes… Gohan is probably worried." She slipped past him and went towards the camp, Gohan having a curious look on his face, apparently even Icarus knew something was happening as the little dinosaur watched both of them.
Coming over she went back to her duties trying to act unaffected, wiping her son's mouth she then gave him a smile, showing that she was alright. "Be a little neater Gohan." She said teasingly as she could see the crumbs and smudges left behind. "We don't forget our manners just because we're not eating on Chyna."
"Okay," he said, sensing that his mother had calmed down since earlier. She took up her place beside him and began to eat again.
Goku noticed the changes a bit more, but he didn't speak on them. Chi-Chi seemed less tense, her body and posture much more relaxed and when he sat down she just smiled and kept eating. Yet inside of him there was a conflict, that flash of a vision, or maybe a memory. All of it hitting him in a flash but then fading, he couldn't recall it exactly but the remnants still lingered at the edges of his consciousness.
Was that… part of what happened that night?
The two kept quiet and their eyes away from one another for the rest of the evening. Exchanging a thank you and that was about it.
Though as it got later Goku watched as Chi-Chi got Gohan ready for bed, she herself stripped down to her undergarments and climbed into her futon with Gohan already laying down on her pillow. Drawing her arm around her son and pulling his body back against her own, Chi-Chi let her eyes close and attempt to sleep.
He came inside later, having spent a while outside to just think. That and he wanted both of them to be asleep when he did, the soft snoring of Gohan and Chi-Chi's breathing had been the sign he was waiting for.
Going to his spot laying just feet across from the two of them he just stared for a few minutes. He didn't know what to really make of his interactions earlier with Chi-Chi. Although there was something else telling him that he shouldn't be so far away from her.
It was like he wanted her body close, which for a person who usually liked his personal space he didn't know why. Imagining Chi-Chi laying nearby, Gohan tucked into her arms while he held onto her. That image… felt nice.
Thinking back to when he and Grandpa slept and how calm and peaceful it had been. Would Chi-Chi like that? Would it be okay for us to be closer?
He rolled onto his side his mind stirring from all of these thoughts, but as he tried to sleep he found that an annoying problem had begun to spring up from within his boxers. Not now… Having to deal with himself when he got rigid like that was irritating but since he had company he'd have to just ignore it. Focusing on his breathing and calming himself in meditation was the better avenue but with Chi-Chi's scent in the air it took him far longer to get that part of his body under control.
Especially when there was a hint of spice in the air, and it was coming from Chi-Chi. He didn't know what to expect in the future but he was sure that he, Chi-Chi, and Gohan would be alright.
R&R
Kerghan