Hello again! Chapter five here!

I can't apologize enough for taking so long in the updates. I'm sorry. I keep writing though, so you can count on me not abandoning my stories!

This chapter is for Piccolo to acknowledge the extent of his love for Gohan, although ironically Gohan does not appear much in it. I hope you can enjoy it despite that! And I also hope I achieve my goal.

Thank you so much as well to all of you who leave a review or who had added me to your alert subscription! It really means the world to me =)

Disclaimer: As usual, I don't own a bloody thing of Dragon Ball, not the four stars ball nor the GT Z Super and all that stuff.

Chapter 5

The Promise

He knew perfectly well how everything had started. He had a very good idea of how that day didn't come up as he had originally planned; he was even certain why he gave up so easily and ended up confessing and accepting his feelings. For Kami's sake, he was even sure that, if he hadn't done it that day, he would have done it any other day, since he would have surrender to the boy as soon as he heard he was in pain. Yet, for dear life, he couldn't figure out how he ended up in the position he was.

Piccolo was sitting in his usual Lotus, without his shoulder weights and turban, staring into the opening of the meditation chamber, the gentle roar from the round waterfall being the only sound heard behind him. It would have been a normal meditating session if not being for the boy that was softly sitting on his lap.

Gohan was mimicking Lotus, and equally staring at the passing clouds, a joyful smile crossing his gentle features. He was gently resting his back and head on Piccolo's chest, completely oblivion of the nervousness such simple action caused on his former mentor. Piccolo was fighting hard to keep his heart rate, his breathing and his mind at peace. He knew how everything started, and how things went out of his hands, but for all the stars in heaven, he still couldn't figure out what to do next.

Piccolo was completely terrified. What had he done to end up like this? Oh yeah, he just told Gohan "I'll stand by you… forever". It was not like he didn't mean it. It was just the implications of it what horrified him the most; he had started the day considering pushing Gohan away, maybe forever, in order to give the boy the chance to have a normal, peaceful life, far from his own lonely, miserable one. Things turned up to be more complicated than that. Now, he had basically accepted to be with him… forever. What was he supposed to do now? Go into the world and live with him? Move into a house together? Wait for him until he returned from school… or work? He didn't want that for himself! Or… did he? As long as he remained next to Gohan, would that really matter? And what about Gohan's family? What about his friends? What were they suppose to tell them? And what about Goku? Piccolo shifted a little bit, trembling at the prospect of facing not only Gohan's father, but one of his oldest friends, his nervousness finally catching Gohan's attention.

"Piccolo san, are you ok?" he almost whispered, turning his face up to look at him.

"I'm…" he wanted to say 'I'm fine', but the words kind of sounded fake in his mind.

"What is it?" the boy asked, removing himself from his beloved, sitting on his knees in front of Piccolo.

"Gohan…" he couldn't find the words, he just couldn't "What is going to happen now? I mean…" Piccolo allowed his hands to rest on his knees, in an attempt to stop them from shaking. He was looking down, not daring to stare at the boy just yet "what are we suppose to be?"

"What?" asked Gohan, staring deeply at Piccolo, noticing for the first time that day just how panicked the namek was. 'He is scared' he thought "Piccolo… Piccolo look at me"

The namekian took a deep breath and turned to his former student. The waterfall kept its gentle roar behind, and the fresh morning wind still made its way into the opening. Yet, Piccolo's face was still burning, and the soft purple blush that covered his cheeks melted Gohan's heart almost immediately.

"I guess… I haven't thought it myself" Gohan honestly answered, staring into the deep black of Piccolo's eyes "I am scared as well. I don't know where to go from here. All I know is that, from now on, whatever I do, I want to do it with you. I don't think I can fool myself anymore, Piccolo. For so long I did…" he took a deep breath, and moved his hand to rest it gently on Piccolo's cheek "What if, for once, we don't mind ourselves with that and… just enjoy the time together?"

He offered Piccolo his smile. That trademark smile that made him fall in love on the first place. That and Gohan's warm hand resting on his cheek made him blush even more. Piccolo closed his eyes, and, for once, he chuckled without thinking. He placed his own hand on Gohan's, allowing himself to feel the softness of it, despite the training sessions, Gohan's skin was still so smooth…

Gohan's heart giggled with content at the sound of Piccolo's tiny laugh. He carefully got closer to him. Still with his eyes closed, Piccolo could feel Gohan's breathing approaching, and took a deep breath before sensing his lips against his own again, never feeling like he had enough of it.

The kiss didn't last long though, since Piccolo, as politely as he could, pushed Gohan away. Gohan didn't refuse this time, knowing his former mentor had many things inside his mind to still figure out, and he didn't wish to trouble him even more. Piccolo stood up. He got closer to the waterfall and, taking in the fresh water stained air, he calmed himself, cooling down for just a moment the burning feeling inside his chest and face. Gohan watched in amusement from the floor how the green slender arms, with an elegance he could never achieve, went down to pick up the discarded turban and shoulder weights, and returned Piccolo's frame to its normal one.

"I must go" came the deep baritone voice, now facing Gohan, who was still sitting on the floor. The boy opened his eyes widely, wondering what he meant by that "I have… I must talk to your father".

Panic is a short word to describe both men's feeling at the moment. It is not that Piccolo was happy about the prospect, but deep inside knew that it was something that he had to do now that they were officially… a couple? Or something of the sort. Gohan, on the other hand, couldn't understand for dear life why his beloved one would like to do such a thing at that moment.

"Why would you do that for?" he asked, standing from the floor, and watching as Piccolo walked by his side, stopping at the edge of the opening in the chamber.

"For one, he is my friend, or used to, considering the circumstances" he waved his hand between them to evidence their relationship "and I am kissing his son" it was Gohan's turn to violently blush "and two… I just consider it appropriate" he wouldn't admit it you see, but he was shaking like a leaf in the wind, for the perspective of going to Goku would only made things more official. Despite the fact that he was petrified at the thought, he really felt he had to talk to Goku about it.

"Must you do it now?" Gohan asked "He knows about us, you know?"

Piccolo's eyes opened wide now. He turned to face Gohan once more, and in a trembling yet deep voice, he asked "What?"

"I… I kinda told him, about my feelings for you… and all that happened between us… I mean, not all of it, just enough. He knew we had feelings for each other long before that though, if it's worth for something"

Piccolo took another deep breath. Of course Gohan would tell him, he was his father! Yet it all made the situation more mortifying to him.

"All the more reasons to go talk to him" he finally stated. "You can stay here, and I compel you to do so. I want to go there alone"

"Oh really? And just what am I suppose to do meanwhile?" Gohan was just being playful now, crossing his arms on his chest, and waiting for an answer with a big smile on his face. He raised his eyebrows as he saw Piccolo turning to him with a sarcastic smile on his own green features.

"You can go talk to Dende" he answered, obviously mocking.

Gohan didn't know what surprised him the most, the smile, the attempt of being playful from Piccolo, or altogether the situation itself. He stared at his beloved in disbelief for a moment, and then, Piccolo decided for him, as he spoke.

"What? Are you nervous to talk to him? I don't have a family you see, my whole family it's him and Mr. Popo, perhaps. I'm going to talk to your father about what is going on between us, and you can talk to Dende about it, if you feel the need to" he smiled again, watching Gohan's disbelieving face.

"I didn't know you could be funny" he finally stated, gaining his composure again.

"There are many things you don't know about me"

"Well, I want to know them all"

Piccolo chuckled again. He turned his back on Gohan preparing to leave.

"Hey! I do mean it!" the boy yelled from behind.

"I know" the deep voice answered "that determination… that's what I love the most, from you, Gohan" he gave him another warm smile "stay here"

Before Gohan had the chance to answer, he jumped from the edge, and disappeared in the air, rushing to Mount Paozu's direction. Gohan sighed at his disappearing form, knowing too well that Piccolo had made his mind, and there was no use in trying to convince him otherwise.

He sighed once more as he lost sight of him, and was about to leave himself, when he felt a familiar ki behind him, beyond the waterfall.

"So… is there something you need to tell me?"

Gohan froze. Dende just laughed at his friend's reaction. Oh Kaio sama, if only you had seen him.

Far from there at the top of Mount Paozu, Goku failed to block a hit at his ribs, and bended over in midair for once.

"What's wrong Kakarot? You never neglect a fight like this!" came Vegeta's voice as he crossed his arms.

"Sorry Vegeta" he whispered, regaining his breath "do you mind if we call it a day?"

Surprise is a short word to describe Vegeta's reaction. "Call it a day?" he asked in disbelief "we started about an hour ago!"

"Yeah I know" Goku answered, rubbing the back of his neck and offering a goofy smile "it's just… there is something I need to attend"

Vegeta paused for a second and considered his words. He suddenly felt very aware of another Ki approaching.

"What's wrong between you and the namek?" he asked.

"What? I don't know what you…" he began, but realized soon enough that Vegeta didn't fall for it. He never did, and Goku was a terrible liar anyway. "It's about Gohan ok?" he sighed, and changing his expression to a serious one, he continued "It's personal"

"Not that I care anyway" Vegeta sentenced "Come and find me to complete the training when you are done with the namek. Don't kill him though, he is a fine opponent to practice when you are not around. It would be a shame…" he seemed doubtful to continue for a moment "…if he dies over… no, never mind that" he offered Goku a know-it-all smile, and then left, leaving the other man completely puzzled.

"I wonder if he noticed…" Goku mumbled as he slowly descended by a string of water. He was about to lean down and have a drink from it, when Piccolo arrived.

The tall Namek stood frozen behind him, and Goku could feel the tension coming out of his body. He knew, or at least had a pretty good idea, of Piccolo's reason to be there, but for some reason he couldn't find in him to turn about and face his namekian friend. Yes, he had told his son there was no problem about them, that he would be supportive, but there was still the fact, latent in his heart and mind, that his first born had suffered for weeks, if not years, because of his green friend. Now, this was it, the moment in which the box was open, and the time to be honest about his feelings towards this relationship.

"Goku…" Piccolo spoke first.

"Piccolo" he answered without turning.

"I… we need to…" Piccolo's arms were crossed across his chest, but his voice was nearly trembling. He was struggling to find the right way to begin, when in a flash a sharp pain pierced through his cheek bone.

He unfolded his arms and took a hand to his face, realizing too late that Goku had indeed punched him. When the initial pain descended, he slowly opened his eyes, only to stare thus still unable to focus to Goku's troubled expression.

Goku kept staring between Piccolo and his own fist, as if he had not planned on doing that, which was actually true in a way. He had felt the need to punch him, but didn't consider it as an action to perform in the near future. His body made the choice for him though.

Piccolo rubbed his sore cheek for a few seconds before allowing his hands to go limb at his sides, looking more embarrassed than upset, and closing his eyes he prepared himself for the next blow that he assumed was yet to come.

Goku blinked a couple of times before noticing what he had done. After realizing Piccolo's sore cheek, and the way he was waiting to be hit again, he managed to take a deep breath and turn around to the water stream behind himself. Piccolo listened to all this of course, and risked to open his eyes. He saw Goku drinking some water, and wash his face, before standing and turning to face him, an action that caused his body to tense yet again.

"So…" Goku spoke, not really sure of what was he supposed to say.

"So…?" Piccolo continued, gulping loudly.

Piccolo's face was completely flustered. His cheeks were burning purple now, and not only because of the punch. He was completely loosing it, and Goku could only chuckle. To see Piccolo in such a state… if they were fighting to death he was sure the namek would not even hesitate, even if knowing he had no possible advantage and most definitely loose. Right now though, he looked like he would puke at any moment, and he nearly felt bad about punching him. He kept chuckling for a moment, taking in the panicked expression on his friend's face, until he took another deep breath, and returned to his serious stance.

"I would like to say that I'm sorry for punching you, but I am not" he started, noticing Piccolo's trembling hands "Gohan told me about you both" he saw Piccolo's hands flitching "and I saw him crying over you. I saw him suffer for you, he even nearly lost his will to live because of you! You promised me you would never, EVER hurt him. You gave me your word Piccolo!" he raised his voice more than he intended, and tried to calm down "before the cell games you promised me. Have you forgotten?"

And how could he forget?

"Piccolo, promise me something" Goku said, worry across his face, as they stared at Gohan washing his mud covered face by the lake.

"What?" he roughly asked.

"Promise you would take care of him, if something ever happens to me"

Piccolo turned fully to stare at Goku now. He couldn't believe his ears.

"If you die we can take you back with the Dragon Balls" he offered.

"I know, but, I might not want to" he answered "don't tell Gohan though" he quickly added "I would like to take my dead as an opportunity to train further in the other world, if I am idiot enough to get myself killed" he continued, crossing his arms and looking into Gohan's direction "If something ever happens to me… Gohan trusts you, he cares for you, and I can tell you care for him as well. Please, Piccolo, you must promise me…"

"I don't need to promise you anything" the baritone voice said "you know very well…" he hesitated "you perfectly know that I… I would never hurt him. I would protect him… even die for him again. You know that" he stated, looking away so Goku would not see the faint purple covering his cheeks.

Goku's eyes grew wide as he saw the dim blush on his friend though. He distantly wondered about those feelings, coming only to the conclusion that they were true and honest. He let go then of the air he had been holding, and with a goofy smile he retorted:

"Thank you, Piccolo!"

And the namek could only nod.

Piccolo pushed away the memory of that day. He had promised yes, and he had accomplished by full extend of it right? He had protected the kid, being there when Goku passed away, helping him, talking to him, and being his company and confident…

And then it stroked him like a thunder bolt. He took care of Gohan not because of the promise, but because he loved the kid already. He had those feelings that were of a fond friendship, something transcending from mere acquaintances to a strongest bond, which later developed in love. Love for Gohan above all.

But Goku had said that he even hurt himself, lost the will to live… for him?

"I thought…" he barely whispered, guilt coming from deep inside him now, piercing through his very soul. Goku took a step closer "I thought I was doing the right thing for him…" he swallowed hard this time, his mouth extremely dry "He deserves better than me" he finally stated.

"We agree on that" Goku answered, coming even closer to stand in front of the namek "but it is you who he wants. And to be honest, Piccolo, I don't know how can anyone be better for him" he offered a smile. Piccolo could sense his blush taking the best of him again. Damn heat, burning his face like he was some sort of idiot. Goku chuckled once more, probably because he enjoyed the mortification his friend just felt like a sweet vengeance for hurting his kid. "I know you tried to push him away, and though I appreciate the sentiment behind your actions, they ended up messing things more than they already were" Piccolo nodded, words escaping him once more "I am also aware that it was an accident" Goku added.

"An… accident?" he asked. Goku by passed him, moving to sit on a large rock

"Yes. What happened between you two. Falling in love" he sentenced as Piccolo walked by, pretty sure by now that the purple stain on his face was not going anywhere "You two spent so much time together. But then again, Vegeta and I also do, and we are not in love… I can relate though, you know. Me falling for Chi Chi was purely incidental at the beginning. Now I can't imagine having anyone else, or not having her at all, our family… I love her Piccolo. Can you love my son as much?" he turned to face him. Piccolo grew more and more embarrassed if possible. He fidgeted with his fingers and took a deep breath before answering.

"I don't know if we are meant for each other" he began, trying to appear solemn "but I'll tell you what I promised you that day. There is nothing I wouldn't do for him. I'll dedicate my life and dead from now on as I have been doing to him, to his happiness, and his every need. Goku I…" the words were struggling. He had to say it, he needed to say it, but the moment the words got materialized they would be as real as Goku and himself. He had to say it dammit! "I love him" he swallowed, and closed his eyes as if expecting to be punched again.

Goku stared at him in shock for a moment or so. He knew about those feelings, being quite obvious to him, but never in his life had he expected that Piccolo would come and confess them. He stared yet a bit more and saw Piccolo was trembling, his face completely flustered and covered in purple, from nose to ears. His breathing was uneasy, and his panicked expression was out of control now. The state of him!

His own shock dimmed now as it was being replaced by a very welcomed surprise. He smiled fondly now, knowing for sure that Piccolo was being honest to him. Gohan would be loved completely and fully. What sort of life awaited for them he did not know, but for now, he knew they would be just fine.

"I'm not going to punch you again" he ventured. Piccolo opened his eyes and was confronted with a warm, easy going smile.

He let out a breath he knew he had been holding. Trying to easy his tense muscles, he crossed his arms against his chest again, taking deep breaths and filling himself with as much air as possible.

"So… you don't… hate me?" he carefully asked, studying Goku's face.

"Hate you? No, Piccolo, I couldn't hate you. I am shocked though" he answered honestly "but I can feel you are shocked as well. You look terrified. I had never see you in such a state, not even facing Majin Bu"

Damn purple blush for rushing into his face again.

"I am angry and disappointed at you though, for all the pain he was into these past weeks"

"I'm sorry for that. It won't happen again, I swear I… I won't harm him again, I'll try…"

"You better do" said Goku with a menacing gesture. Piccolo gulped at that.

"I will be by Gohan's side as long as he wants me to" he finalized.

"And you?" Goku asked, earning a confused expression from the namek "how long do you want to be with him? For how long will you fight for this? If this is only an infatuation from Gohan –which I believe it's not- will you let him go, or will you fight for him?"

Piccolo considered the question. He had assumed that Gohan would be the one that would get bored of being with him. But what if that actually came to happen?

No, he decided. No. 'I would not let that happen.'

"I will love him forever" he responded without thinking "no matter what"

Goku changed to a bright smile just then. He jumped from the rock and rushed to hug Piccolo in a forceful embrace, which earned a grunt from the namek.

"I believe you" he whispered against the broad chest before letting go "I will kill you personally if you don't. Kami knows he loves you beyond himself" he added, and his words made Piccolo's heart skip a beat "go now. I know he waits for you at the look out. I'll talk to him later" he sentenced, but added quickly "it would be best though, if we… you know… don't tell Chi Chi for now? It's just…" he rubbed the back of his head just then.

"I agree" Piccolo answered, his voice nearly normal now.

"Good. Now, if you would excuse me, I have some training to finish. Say hello to Dende from me, and tell Gohan to be home early"

"I'll let him know"

Goku nodded before taking two fingers to his forehead, and disappearing.

Piccolo took a deep breath, relieved that the torture was over. Why humans and saiyans tended to pass through this experience would still elude him, although… for Gohan he would go to hell and back. The overwhelming feeling of the extend of his love nearly burned him inside out, and he actually rubbed his chest where his heart ought to be, feeling happy and contented for the first time in his life.

"He loves me back" he whispered to himself, before laughing long, heartedly, and warmly, finally acknowledging how blessed he truly was.

And he most definitely felt like so now.

So, there it is! Please let me know about your feelings on this chapter, which I really hope you enjoyed. I wanted to portray a non-stupid Goku, one that actually concerned himself with the feelings of his family. I hope you found it to your liking. Next chapter will be about Gohan and Dende! And also a very cute sugar infused scene with our beloved couple. Thanks again for reading and staying!