A/N I've been getting bad at updating on time. As a person that procrastinates anyways I really don't see why I made promises to update Sunday/Monday. But anyways, next chapter is here because this chap has been up on AO3 for at least 2 days. Back to it, we are in the conclusion of our current thruple. (Yes they are a thruple I was an in denial poly shipper) Dende talks with Videl, Videl talks to Gohan, and Gohan talks to Dende. This chapter is conversation driven only because everyone has feelings that they need to put on the table, and once those feelings are on the table, everyone will move accordingly relationship wise. At first I wasn't really going for the Videl/Gohan/Dende poly pair for this story, but it couldn't be avoided. Every time I tried to I didn't like it, then I realized it couldn't be avoided because I like the pair. Which ultimately meant shipping Dende/Videl, which honestly, isn't a bad pair to me. They give platonic couple married for benefit reasons. Like they'd be married so Dende could have custody over Pan. That's how I kinda see their relationship. Because I'm more accepting of them I'll likely write more scenes with just them to help build their relationship. Sorry for the long note, my notes got deleted on AO3 during updating so I'll probably just update them on AO3.

Happy Reading :)

Dende stepped out of the University Counselling building. He had completed another session with Dr. Runswick. She noticed his change of mood from Monday and Wednesday's sessions to today. His session was then spent by filling her in on his eventful Thursday. From finding Angela's notecards, to going out to the bar crawl, to finally having Gohan confess his feelings. Dr. Runswick warned him of the depression stage of grief, and that parties and relationships were only distractions in grief, not solutions. She advised Dende to continue to work through his grief, and not around it.

Dende was thankful he was able to drag himself to his 8 am class this morning, seeing that it was the only class he had for the day. He rewarded himself with more sleep until his counseling session. Now that it was done, it depleted all the energy he regained sleeping. He would surely be asleep the rest of the day. His broken sleep cycle made him irritable, and recovering from a hangover made it no better. Dende just wanted to be back in the bed asleep.

Meanwhile Videl had been camped outside the building, waiting for Dende to come out. Unfortunately she checked his room first and found Chiaotzu instead. When she asked where he was Chiaotzu refused to answer unless she paid him, calling it a tariff tax. She hadn't been waiting long, but she didn't expect Dende to blow past her as soon as he came out. She jogged after him. "Hey Dende, wait up!" She called after him.

Dende looked back, finding Videl running after him, he sighed. "Videl, I didn't notice you. I'm on my way back to my dorm to sleep, did you need something?" He didn't want to ask but he couldn't help it.

"I was hoping we could talk about last night. I stopped at your dorm first but Chiaotzu said you were here. Is it a bad time?" She asked.

"Yes." He answered bluntly. "I told you to speak with Gohan first. If you haven't done that then I have nothing to say to you."

Videl frowned. She wasn't used to him being this cold. "Come on Dende, I paid Chiaotzu a thousand Zeni to come and talk to you. Don't let my money go to waste."

Dende continued walking back to his dorm. "I'll have him give your money back, but I'm not in the mood to minister to you about Gohan right now."

Now she was getting upset. "I didn't ask you to minister for me, I asked you to talk to me—"

Dende stopped walking to look back at her. "Videl, please. I'm tired, still fighting off my hangover, and I just got out of grief counseling. I don't want to be bothered, and I'm not trying to be mean, but could you please leave me alone?" With that he continued on to his dorm.

Who knew that being on Dende's bad side could be so hurtful. Tears started to well in her eyes. She called out for him, but he continued to walk without her. She balled up her fists and screamed after him, "You're my friend too!"

That made him stop and look back at her. "Videl—"

"I'm sorry I said you were the problem in our relationship, but right now I need you. I need you as a friend, not a minister. I need you to talk to me, and not through me. I'm too angry to talk to Gohan in this state, I need the truth and clarity from you before I do anything." She spoke, tears streaming down her face. "Please, would you be my friend for this?"

Dende couldn't ignore a plea for help, especially if it was a call from a friend. It was nice of her to apologize for something he was still sore over. Videl stating that they were friends made him realize that it was no longer Gohan that was the mutual link between their relationship. They had a friendship built on their own terms, not through another person. "Let's find somewhere to talk."

…

After finding a study room in the library to talk, Videl and Dende sat across from each other, the sound of the analog clock ticking to keep the room from being silent.

"Thank you for your time. I know you're tired, so this doesn't have to be long. I just need to know what happened last night." Videl started.

With a nod, Dende began to tell her about last night's events in the bathroom. "I was getting ready to leave the Launchbox with Chiaotzu but he had to use the restroom before we left. While I was waiting for Chiaotzu, Gohan came in. He said he missed me during the school week, and asked if I could keep a secret. Admittedly, I was too intrigued to not know what the secret was, and he told me that I was cute, and that he wanted me all to himself again."

"So that's it? How did he find out that I was pregnant?"

"Gohan was going to kiss me. I told him you were pregnant to stop him."

"And how did you know?"

Dende hesitated. "I have healing powers, and I wanted to heal you when your eye was bruised. When I reached out to touch you, I knew then."

Videl blinked in realization at that moment. She had spent days trying to figure out what he meant when he told her that she shouldn't fight a while. "That was so early on. I couldn't have been more than three or four weeks. That's amazing." She complimented.

"I believe I was the first to know, but I didn't want to be the one to tell either of you. I was hoping you both found out together. I'm sorry if I ruined your moment of telling Gohan."

"It's okay Dende. It sounds like it was for good reason." She said, still trying to process everything she was learning. Videl pieced together that if Dende had healing powers, it was likely he healed Gohan when they first met rather than tend to his wound. It also occurred to Videl that if Gohan wanted Dende to himself it was a possibility they became closer over break, but she didn't know how close. "I thought he kissed you in the bathroom or something like that. I didn't know he confessed to you…Nothing happened over the break that you're not telling me, right?"

Dende shook his head. "Gohan and I were physically close during the break, but we weren't intimate if that's what you're asking. We slept in the same bed, held each other through the night, but nothing beyond that."

Videl nodded in understanding. They may not have been intimate during the break but it was definitely a catalyst for Gohan's feelings. Dende was giving her the information she needed, but she was still missing some important details. "I know Gohan told you how he felt, but you never confirmed how you felt Dende. Back at the bonfire, I asked you if you liked Gohan, and I never got a clear answer. Can you tell me now?"

Just like before, Dende wasn't sure how to answer. So much has happened to make them mentally, emotionally, and spiritually closer since the last time he was asked that question. His feelings had only grown stronger for Gohan since then. "I always thought whatever feelings I had for Gohan, romantic, platonic, intimate, or whatever…I never wanted them to get in the way of what was best for Gohan. I care for the people that care for him. I love the people that love him, and I think we both have gone beyond liking Gohan."

Videl hummed in agreement. Caring for someone's happiness without being the cause of it was its own form of love, Videl could understand that too. "So if Gohan likes you, and you like him, where does that leave me?" She asked quietly.

"It leaves you as the mother of his child Videl. Do you realize how important you are to him?" Dende pleaded.

Videl smiled wryly at him. "I'm glad you think I'm important to Gohan, Dende, but I don't feel as important as you. I prayed for Gohan, was blessed to bear his child, and I still wasn't enough…I don't know what you have with Gohan, but it definitely beats what I have with him."

Dende could understand how Videl felt. It was the same way he felt when he found out about her pregnancy. Hopeless, and the feeling of a lost love. Videl was important to Gohan, and Dende wanted to make sure she knew that. "I know it's hard understanding the relationship I have with Gohan, it's even harder to explain. But if you feel the way I feel about Gohan, then I know you love him, and would be willing to come to terms that I am a part of his life as much as you are. Gohan's feelings for me won't stop him from making sure that you and your child are in his life. We are both very important to Gohan, Videl, just in very different ways."

Videl rubbed at her eyes. Dende assured her importance more than Gohan ever had. This was why she still wanted to be his friend. Dende made her feel important, and supported her in a way similar to her own best friend. He helped her find clarity, inner peace, and her way back to a higher power. She could see why Gohan needed him in his life, she needed him too. "I never thought the man I'd be in love with would be a package deal." She said, laughing slightly at the thought. "I get that people come with baggage in a relationship, but you're like…"

"Another bag?"

"I was thinking more like, a carry on?"

That made Dende laugh, and Videl laughed with him.

Videl sighed after laughing, the smile not leaving her face. "Thank you Dende, I really needed to have this talk with you. I feel a lot better."

Dende nodded at her words. "I'm glad I could help. I hope your talk with Gohan is as honest as this one."

"I hope it goes well too, but if it doesn't, I really hope we can still be friends Dende. I don't want Gohan to get in the way of the friendship we build on our own."

He gave a small smile. "Of course we can still be friends, Videl. No one can come in between our friendship."

Videl nodded at his words and stood. "That's all I wanted to hear. Sorry I kept you from sleeping your hangover off, do you want me to walk you to your dorm?"

Dende stood as well shaking his head. "I'll manage, thank you. Take care of yourself Videl. I'll see you later."

"See you later. Oh, and Dende?"

"Yes?"

"I gave Chiaotzu the last of my allowance, and my dad won't send me money until next week. Can you make sure I get that back?"

The next morning, Saturday, Videl thew the blankets off of her body and scrambled out of bed. She covered her mouth as she gagged, she wouldn't make it to the bathroom. She dropped down to the waste bin by her desk and began to purge her morning sickness.

Videl could hear a faint knock at the door and soon a hand rubbing her back. Once she was done vomiting, she looked back. "Sorry I woke you."

Erasa shook her head. "It's fine Vi. I can't exactly be mad given your condition." She spoke with a small laugh.

Videl began tying up the waste bin liner to dispose of it. "Yeah, but no one wants to wake up to the sound of someone spilling their guts."

"True, but I think we should both get used to it if it's gonna be happening for a while, huh?" Erasa pulled Videl away from the sick bag, and helped her stand. "How about you get back in bed and I'll pick you up something from the convenience store? Ginger ale?"

Videl shook her head as she climbed back into bed. "Ginger tea would be better. Can you tell Sharpner to brew me a cup and bring it to me?"

Erasa nodded as she tucked Videl back into bed. "No problem, do you want me to pick you up something for breakfast to go with your tea?"

Just the thought of a full breakfast made Videl gag again.

Erasa held her hands up as if to stop her. "Okay, okay, not too much I see. Something light?"

Videl thought for a moment. "Pretzel sticks and yogurt."

"What flavor of yogurt?"

"Banana."

Erasa made a face of disgust. "You could have at least picked a flavor we both liked." She said, and grabbed the tied up sick bag from the bin. "Anything else while I'm out?"

"Could you tell Gohan to come over?"

.

.

.

Erasa soon returned with Videl's snacks, and Gohan trailing behind her. "I brought a friend, and snacks." She said and climbed in Videl's bed to eat their snacks.

"Good morning Gohan." Sharpner greeted, sitting at Videl's desk with his own cup of tea.

"Good morning Sharpner." Gohan greeted with a nod. He leaned against Videl's bed to be close to her. "Good morning Videl, Erasa told me you were sick. Are you okay?"

Videl shuffled in the bag to pull out a cup of yogurt. "I'm fine. Morning sickness is pretty standard stuff." She said, handing Gohan her cup of tea. She opened her yogurt, and grabbed a few pretzel sticks to add to her yogurt. "I wanted to talk to you."

Gohan nodded and glanced at Erasa and Sharpner. "I was hoping you meant privately." He muttered.

"I did." Videl said next, glancing at her two friends.

Erasa rolled her eyes. "You could have just said you wanted privacy." She said crawling out the bed.

Sharpner stood from the desk. "Yeah we would have covered our ears."

After the pair left, Gohan climbed in the bed, sitting across from Videl. He watched as she ate the yogurt dipped pretzel sticks. "Did you want anything else to eat?"

"No, this is all I wanted." Videl spoke before finishing her snack. "I talked to Dende yesterday. He told me a lot, but they were things I should hear from you. I'm just hoping you'll be honest with me." She grabbed her tea cup from him. "So please, Gohan, just tell me the truth."

Gohan was quiet for a moment, unsure where to start. "I'm sorry for how I treated you on Thursday. Being drunk isn't an excuse, I just wanted to tell Dende how I felt about him while I had the courage to do it. I've been struggling with my feelings for him for a long time. I thought being with you would make my feelings for him go away, but they didn't. Then I saved him from being killed, and spent the break with Dende to help him recover. It just made my feelings for him snowball even more. I liked having him to myself over the break, and I wanted that again. I only wanted to tell him how I felt, but I didn't feel like my confession was enough to get my point across. I wanted to at least kiss him. Dende was right to tell me about your pregnancy, it was the only thing that stopped me."

Videl sipped at her tea while he spoke. "I'm glad you've realized and accepted your feelings for Dende, but I don't think you realize the damage you've done along the way. I changed myself for you, I prayed to keep us together, and I wanted to raise a baby with you…I made myself very vulnerable for you Gohan, but it just wasn't enough. What you want with Dende, I want too. I want you all to myself too." She said and sniffled before quietly adding. "I love you Gohan, so much, and I didn't want to lose you."

Gohan pulled out his handkerchief and leaned close to her. "I love you too Videl." He confessed, and dried the tears that collected at the edges of Videl's eyes. Gohan pulled away his handkerchief, looking down at it. "But I can't live without Dende." He then admitted quietly. "I told you at the beginning of our relationship that Dende was just as important as you, and I meant it. What I have with Dende is different from any friendship I've had, or relationship I've been in. I can't really explain it, it's just something I feel…I just wish I handled my feelings better, and not hurt you in the process. I'm sorry."

Videl wasn't sure where his confession left her. She was prepared for it, as Dende said something similar yesterday, but it was still strange to hear from Gohan. She put her tea aside. "You know, when I first met you, I knew there was something weird about you. I didn't imagine it being this close-bonded relationship with Dende. And maybe that's not even the weirdest thing about you Gohan. But I knew that whatever you were going to tell me, I was going to be ready to accept…Your crush on Dende was obvious to everyone but you, and I still waited for you to tell me about it; but you never did. Instead you chose to hide your feelings, lie to me about them, and wait until they got out of control. If you would have given me the chance to understand, then maybe I would have. I see why you like Dende, I like him too. He's honest, and sweet, and a great support in anyone's life… If you just would have been honest with me in the first place, then maybe our relationship could have been saved."

Gohan couldn't believe how accepting Videl was towards his feelings about Dende, they were so hard to accept on his own. Videl's emotional development over the course of their relationship had to be noted, and it was a shame he had only realized it now. "I've underestimated you our entire relationship. You're more than a pretty face and good fighter. I treated you the same way as everyone else, when I should have been treating you way better. I don't think I can forgive myself for losing you Videl, but if it means you're moving on to be treated better by someone else, then I'd be okay with that."

Videl crossed her arms, a tight smile on her face. "So you think you're just gonna bow out of my life gracefully, huh?"

"What?"

"You got me pregnant, dude!" She said, shoving him over on the bed. "Just because I don't want to be your girlfriend anymore doesn't mean we aren't friends, Gohan. We're still having a baby together. We've got ultrasound appointments to schedule, baby names to pick out, a baby shower to plan. You thought I was going to do that all by myself? As if." She said with a laugh.

Her change of mood was unexpected, but light. Gohan sat back up, smiling at her. "Sorry, the break up was a bit dramatic. I didn't think you'd still want to be my friend after this." He said, laughing as well.

Videl reached out for his hands, squeezing them gently. "You were my friend first Gohan, why wouldn't we still be friends?" She asked, looking up at him. "And you do know that just because we aren't together now doesn't mean we won't end up together later, right? I just think, for me at least, I need a break to have time to myself. You should focus on you, I should focus on me, and we can focus on the baby together."

Gohan nodded in agreement, smiling at her. "I'd like that. Thank you for everything Videl. Having a baby with you has been the best news I've ever gotten, there's nothing I want more than to be in both of your lives. If there's anything you need, anything at all, please let me know." He leaned close to her, and gave her a gentle kiss on the top of her head. "I love you Videl, I'll see you in class."

Videl smiled as he watched him crawl out of the bed, and offer her cup of tea back. She took the cup in one hand, and cupped his face gently with the other. "I love you too, Gohan. I'll see you in class Monday." She said and watched him head to the door before calling out to him again. "And Gohan?"

"Yeah?"

"I know I mentioned the chance of us being together again, but I broke up with you for a reason…If you wanted an opportunity to be with Dende, I'm giving you one."

Gohan nodded in understanding. "Thanks Videl. I'll see you around.

Sunday morning, Dende readied himself to go to the Worship Center. After his much needed rest through Friday, Dende was ready to begin a new week. He knew he would have to face Gohan again after their interaction Thursday, and spent Saturday journaling and devising a plan to move forward. Dende thought about his talk with Videl, glad they finally came to an understanding. He hoped Videl could come to an understanding just as easily with Gohan, and he hoped the same for himself.

Dende decided to leave for the Worship Center earlier than usual, hoping to catch Gohan before he left his dorm. He preferred to talk to him privately, and before their time at the Worship Center began. He left out of his room, bidding his roommate a farewell before heading towards the lobby. Before he could exit the stairwell, Dende noticed a familiar face entering the stairwell. He stopped at the bottom of the staircase. "Were you coming up to my room?"

Gohan smiled sheepishly. "I wanted to talk to you before we went to the Worship Center."

Dende nodded in understanding. "I was leaving early to speak with you as well." He leaned against the stairway railing. "I'm sure you have a lot to discuss, so please." He said and gestured for him to begin the conversation.

"Right, I, um, just wanted to apologize about Thursday for the…"

"Harassment?"

Gohan looked away in embarrassment. "I guess it was kinda bad, huh? I'm sorry again. I should have never…I just…I like you a lot Dende, and I feel like an idiot for trying to ignore it for so long. I wanted to tell you how I felt because I knew I wouldn't be able to tell you sober. It was definitely in the moment, but I meant what I said."

"Gohan I—"

"Coming through guys."

Dende and Gohan stopped their conversation to look back at Pigero, who was in need of the staircase.

Gohan grabbed Dende's hand, gently guiding him away from the staircase. "Sorry Pigero, go ahead."

With a nod, Pigero continued down the staircase and out the stairwell.

Gohan pulled Dende further under the staircase, away from the view of others. "What were you saying?"

Dende looked up at his friend. "I liked you the day I met you, Gohan. I've wanted to be with you since then, but you made your choice dating Videl. We can't be together the way you want because of that. I was fine if you never knew how I felt, because I didn't want how I felt to come between you and Videl; but confessing to me has created a catastrophic situation." Dende could feel tears cloud his eyes. The emotional build up was sudden. They were friends, but Dende felt like he was losing more than a friend. "Videl is a good person, Gohan, and she doesn't deserve this. She's carrying your child, and you should consider that more than trying to pursue me."

Gohan reached into his pocket to grab his handkerchief. "I talked to Videl yesterday morning about our relationship." He started as he gently dabbed the corners of Dende's eyes. "She said she would have been understanding about you and I if I had been honest with her. We're still friends, but we aren't together anymore." He said and cupped Dende's face, leaning close to speak to him quietly. "She gave me the opportunity to be with you, and I'm taking it. I want to be with you Dende, will you go out with me, please?"

Dende had his plan sorted out yesterday, but Gohan asking him out wasn't a part of it. Now his brain felt scattered with the way Gohan held his face. His quiet voice rang through his ears like music, and he couldn't get his mind to stop obsessing over his pleading request. Instead of denying his bid, Dende spoke to him. "You expect me to answer with you staring at me like that?"

"Like what?"

"Like you want to kiss me."

"I do want to kiss you."

"I won't stop you."

With permission, Gohan pressed his lips to Dende's in a warm kiss, but they both knew that the kiss was too innocent, and soon turned feverish. Dende wrapped his arms around Gohan's neck and Gohan deepened their kiss. The feeling was foreign to Dende, but exhilarating. He wasted no time exploring Gohan's mouth with his own tongue, desperate to know more about his lover while he had the time. His tongue ran over every ridge and crevice he could find, determined to memorize them.

Gohan was the first to pull away, trying to control his trembling breath. Dende took the time to observe his flushed face and dark eyes. Gohan was so handsome. His were so dark, like the color of onyx, he never noticed until now. His eyes were also full of lust and hunger, and Dende wanted to satisfy that.

"Your teeth are sharp."

"You'll get used to it."

Was their simple exchange before they were connected by lips again, the kiss even more feverish than before. Gohan's hands moved from Dende's face to his waist, and he pulled his body close to his. Dende could feel a tightness in Gohan's pants that pressed against his altar robe. He tangled his fingers into Gohan's hair, his nails combing through to his scalp and scratching gently. Gohan pulled away from his lips again, and before Dende could protest, he was placing butterfly kisses along his neck.

"I need more of you Dende," He said between kisses. "Sahir is with Erasa, and my room is empty." Gohan muttered as his hands began pulling at Dende's altar robe out of desperation. "Please, let me take you to my room so we can keep going. I can't tell you how badly I need you, please let me have all of you."

The pleading was so enticing it left Dende's stomach tied in knots. His reality was finally starting to blend with his fantasies, but he made a bigger commitment to his plan. He needed to follow through, no matter how badly he craved Gohan. Kissing him was an addiction that Dende had to break himself from already, he couldn't continue drowning in the sea of lust that Gohan created. Dende's hands reached up to his chest to begin pushing him away. "Gohan, I shouldn't be doing this with you."

Gohan seemed confused but his face showed a hurt expression. "But I thought you wanted this, I thought you wanted me."

Dende cupped his face gently. "Of course I want you, I wouldn't have kissed you if I didn't, but it's just too late Gohan. It's too late for us to be together."

Gohan reached up to pry his hands away from his face. "Dende please don't do this." He whispered.

Dende's lips began to quiver, but he continued to talk. "I have to. I need you to be firm on the decisions you made with Videl, and I can't keep distracting you from doing that…This is our last Sunday together, I've decided to return home for the weekends to practice ministry."

The hurt expression soon turned into devastation. "But we don't have classes together, and I never see you during the week. How am I supposed to see you?"

His look of devastation was gut wrenching, but Dende pressed on. "That's the point Gohan. You need less time with me and more time with Videl. I wanted you to make that choice on your own, but since you won't I have to make it for you. You have priorities that you must put first, and I refuse to let you put them last."

Gohan quickly leaned in to give Dende another kiss, picking him up in the process. He couldn't lose Dende too.

Dende had been the first to pull away now. "Gohan, please don't make this any harder than it is. I need you to understand that this is an act of love. I'm doing this for everyone's sake, including Videl's. Please, just let me do this."

"I can't let you go."

"You have to."

Gohan and Dende met eyes one more time before Gohan placed him back on the ground. "I'm sorry it had to end like this."

Dende shook his head. "It's not the end, it's just for right now. We both have priorities beyond one another, we shouldn't be each other's first. I have to go now, promise me that you'll work on your priorities. Don't let my sacrifice be in vain."

"I promise I will." Gohan said.

With a nod, Dende leaned up to give Gohan one last kiss to his lips. "I know you'll do the right thing Gohan. I know you'll make it through, I'll be waiting on the other side." He said and pulled away from him to dismiss himself.

"I love you."

Dende stopped at the confession, and looked back at Gohan. "I love you too. Goodbye Gohan." He said quietly before disappearing up the staircase, leaving Gohan alone.

A/N So this chapter kind of sets up the rest of the story in a way. Like we're moving into the final part of the story. We get down to the more important elements of the story, the main plot so to speak. Would you believe me if I said that the university/romance element is actually the b-plot of all of this? I wouldn't believe me either, but as we plateau on our university/romance element, we can hit the main plot pretty hard from here on out (I think I'm lying about that tho) We will continue to see how this goes and how we will get to the end. Other than that, thanks for reading. Reviews are appreciated. Until next chapter :)