A/N I know it's been a while since I've published on this page, but as mentioned I have moved over to AO3. There are other recent works I encourage you to read from there as well. This fic has been exported from AO3 to upload here for more traction. The updates will take place Sunday on AO3 and Monday on FF/net. My new favorite pairing has been Gohan/Dende for a while. I know it's a strange pair, but thank DBZ Abridged for the obsession lol This fic is a University AU/Introspective/re-write all rolled into one. It's also religion themed, but readable for non-religious people. The side characters are the main characters in this fic, while the main characters are side characters in this fic. There is an OC based off of another side character as well. I've enjoyed writing this fic so far, and hope you all enjoy reading it. Happy Reading :)

After almost a year of convincing, Dende was finally here. He was a registered University student, attending classes like a normal person. He was starting to lose hope of convincing Piccolo to let him attend, but he seemed to finally give in when Dende mentioned he would be going for missionary purposes as well. So here he was, living in an all-boys dorm with his things unpacked on his side of the dorm room respectfully.

If only he could get his roommate to stop staring at him.

From what he gathered, his name was Chiaotzu, and he hadn't lifted a finger moving his things in. Everything was brought in, arranged, and put away by the same person who introduced him, Tien.

He couldn't tell if Tien was related to him or not, but Dende guessed the latter. After Tien introduced Chiaotzu to him, Tien went to work on arranging Chiaotzu's side of the room. Every question he asked, Chiaotzu responded silently. Either with a head nod or a hand gesture. When he wasn't looking at Tien, he was staring at him. His face was so blank and expressionless, he couldn't tell if he liked him or not. Dende guessed the latter.

After Tien left, Chiaotzu observed the work Tien did for him silently, glancing out of his peripheral now and again to Dende. He looked up from his position on the floor to his lofted bed looming over him.

Dende took this moment to speak. "The beds are pretty high, do you need help getting in bed?"

Chiaotzu turned around to look at him for a moment, his expression still blank.

Dende stiffened under his blank gaze. Maybe he offended him? He didn't want to start on the wrong foot with his new roommate, but he'd never communicated with a mute person before. Surely there had to be a better way than just talking. Before he could speak again, Chiaotzu was already on the move.

He hopped from the floor to the ottoman next to him. From the ottoman to the ledge of the dresser that stuck out from under his bed. And finally, from the dresser's ledge to the freshly made bed.

Dende was impressed by his small roommate's agility, but still concerned by the staring. Was he just going to stare at him the entire school year? Dende opened his mouth to say something again but was stopped short.

"I like your ears."

Dende thoughtlessly pointed to himself. "My ears?" He asked, his ears twitching slightly. It wasn't often he got a compliment on his pointy, green ears. Chiaotzu was quiet, and his voice was as small as his body. But still, Dende heard him.

For the first time, he saw Chiaotzu smile. A small smile. "Yes, who else?" He asked, his smile growing larger.

The detection of sarcasm made him embarrassed. "Oh, ah, thank you." He replied quickly with a nod. Not wanting to be the only one complimented, Dende replied, "I like your spots." And pointed at his cheeks for clarity.

"Really?" Chiaotzu suddenly gushed, his hands cupping his cheeks excitedly. "I used to cover them up, but, you know." He said trailing off with a shrug. He crossed his legs in the bed getting more comfortable as he spoke. "Sorry about staring at you earlier, I didn't know what to say. That's why Tien did most of the talking. He knows I can be shy around new people sometimes."

Dende, relieved his roommate was starting to open up, smiled. "It's okay, I can be the same way. Tien seems nice. Is he related to you?" He asked.

Chiaotzu laughed at the thought. "No, he's my bodyguard."

"Your bodyguard? I didn't know I was sharing a room with someone famous."

Chiaotzu waved him off. "Being the Emperor of Mifan doesn't make me famous."

Dende's eyes widened. "You're the Emperor of Mifan?" He'd heard of Mifan City before, it was a very wealthy and affluent city. And now, he was sharing a dorm room with their ruler. He couldn't quite wrap his head around the situation fully.

Chiaotzu held his hands up innocently in an attempt to relax his roommate. "It's not a big deal. I won't technically be emperor until I graduate. I'm just studying and training for now. It takes some getting used to I'm sure, but I don't want to be treated any differently. You seem nice, but I don't want you to be nice to me because of my status."

Dende looked over at his roommate. From what he could tell, he didn't act like most Emperors. Then again, this was the first Emperor he'd met, so he only had fictional characters to go off of. Chiaotzu didn't seem broody, arrogant, or maniacal, just a normal college student. Albeit a bit shy. He gave a small smile. "Your status doesn't matter to me, what matters is who you are as a person. You seem nice as well Chiaotzu, I'm looking forward to our year together as roommates."

Chiaotzu grinned at his roommate. "I knew Tien picked a good roommate for me. I think we're gonna be just fine, Dende." He said and hopped off of his bed, landing squarely on the ground. "I don't have any friends yet. I had a private tour and orientation. Do you know anyone yet?" He asked, dusting off his already pristine clothes.

Dende wanted to question why and how he got a private tour and orientation but instead replied to his question. "No, I haven't had a chance to make friends. I've seen some people that were in my orientation group, but I wouldn't exactly call them 'friends.'"

Chiaotzu shuffled through a side drawer for a moment and pulled out a green coin purse. "Good, that means we can make the same friends. C'mon, let's go."

"Where are we going?"

"Wherever I can get something to eat."

.

.

.

Dende was still getting accustomed to being roommates with an Emperor. He thought Emperors had exquisite pallets, and enjoyed the comfort of multiple dishes on the table to sample. Dende expected a five-course meal and a private table for eating, but he was surprised when Chiaotzu returned with only chicken nuggets, French fries, and a juice cup.

Chiaotzu put his plate on the table and climbed into the chair, sitting on his legs to give him more height. He picked up the ketchup bottle on the table. "You're not hungry?" He shook the open bottle, trying to get the ketchup out. "I told you I would pay for your meals, you can eat whatever you want." He spoke, shaking the bottle more.

Dende gently took the bottle from his hand and tapped the bottom. Ketchup started to flow from the bottle and onto Chiaotzu's plate. "I don't eat much. I mostly drink water."

Chiaotzu took the bottle from him when he had enough ketchup on his plate. "Oh, that's easy then. What kind of water do you like? Spring? Purified? Sparkling? Mineral? Um, what else? There's–"

"I don't need water, Chiaotzu, but thank you for the offer. Water is free, I can get it from anywhere. Besides, all water tastes the same to me."

Chiaotzu paused before speaking. "…I'll have Tien bring you water from Mifan. As a gift. I think you'll like it."

Chiaotzu seemed comfortable with providing for others, or at least making sure someone was well fed. Perhaps it was out of habit as an Emperor. "So, what are you studying as an Emperor? I would think something related to that."

"International relations," Chiaotzu said as he continued eating. "Mifan Emperors are also diplomats, so I have to learn about politics, economics, government, and a bunch of other boring stuff. What about you? What are you studying?"

"Theological studies and leadership."

"Is that why you dress like an Altar boy?"

The comment made him look down at his clothes for a moment. "I grew up in a temple, so I don't wear a lot of different things. Just the same thing in a different color." He said, looking away to hide his blush.

Chiaotzu shrugged. "It doesn't bother me. I wear tunics, they're comfy. I just think it's funny that you're studying theology and you wear robes."

Dende gave a half smile. "Just like how you wear tunics as an Emperor?"

"My tunics are stylish. There's a difference."

...

After their meal, the pair headed back towards their dorm. "Classes start Monday, maybe we'll have better luck finding friends in classes."

Chiaotzu tucked his hands in his pockets. "I hope so, I have to find someone to do my homework if Tien isn't here to do it."

"Or, you could find a study group for homework help? It's not rewarding if someone is doing the work for you Chiaotzu."

Chiaotzu rolled his eyes. "You're no fun Dende."

Dende sighed. "Well look, if I have a class with you, we can study together. How does that sound?"

"That's fine, but what about my other classes? You expect me to do those myself?"

Before Dende could retort, he heard a frantic bell ringing and hectic screaming.

"Watch out! I can't stop!"

Dende and Chiaotzu barely had time to jump into the grass from the student barreling down the sidewalk on a yellow bike. The student biker went into the grass, the bike stopping when he hit a tree.

Dende sat up in the grass, dusting himself off before standing. "Chiaotzu, are you okay?"

Chiaotzu dusted the grass off of himself as well. "I'm okay, but my favorite pants are all dirty, and Tien isn't here to take them to the cleaners."

Dende looked over at the student still laying in the grass next to the bike. "We will get them cleaned soon." He said before going over to the other student and crouching down. "Hello? Are you okay?" He asked, leaning over him.

The student gave a groggy groan before shaking the grass out of his hair and sitting up. "I'm okay. Sorry about running you off the road, I'm still learning how to ride it." He said and winced at a sudden pain in his arm. His hand wiped over his arm, and blood covered his hand.

Dende's eyes widened. "Oh, you're hurt." He spoke, grabbing his arm gently. He observed the abrasion. Jagged lines ran across his forearm, blood slowly beading over them. "I'm sure I have some bandages back in my dorm. I can have my roommate bring you one."

Chiaotzu crossed his arms, turning away from the pair. "I'm not getting a Band-Aid for the jerk that ruined my favorite pants."

The biker looked over at Chiaotzu. "It was an accident–"

"Oh, of course; you running into us on a bike you don't know how to ride, was an accident."

Dende waved off his roommate. "Don't mind him. I can bring you back a bandage myself if you'd like."

The student looked down at his arm again, wiping the last of the blood off before blinking. "Um, actually, I think I'm okay. My scratch is gone, like it wasn't even there." He said, still looking at his arm.

Dende looked down at his arm as well. The abrasion that was just on his arm moments ago had healed and disappeared completely. He slowly removed his hand from his arm. "Well, that's a relief." He said quietly and pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket to give to him. "Here, for your hands."

The student biker was still looking at his arm in disbelief, not hearing Dende's offer. "How weird. I'm sure I–"

"Excuse me?"

The student looked up at Dende, meeting his eyes for a moment.

Dende looked back at him, his breath hitching for a moment when he met his eyes. His eyes…seemed familiar. Dende was sure he hadn't met this boy before, so why did he feel so familiar? Staring in them brought him a strange comfort, and a yearning to look into them longer. He felt his face start to heat up at his thoughts. "This is to wipe your hands." He said quickly, looking away from him.

Dende could feel his eyes still staring at him as he took the handkerchief from him. "Thank you, I'll have to clean it before returning it to you."

"Please keep it, I have plenty." Dende stood from his crouching position, standing at his full height once more. "Do you need help standing?"

"No, I've got it." He said and quickly pulled himself up, dusting off the grass that still sat on his clothes.

Dende grabbed his bike from the ground, observing at the handles for a moment. "Is this a Nimbus bike?"

The rightful owner took the bike back by the handles. "Yeah, my mom thought it would be good to get around. I guess she didn't consider the fact that I've never ridden a bike. Do you have one?" He asked, kicking out the bike stand.

Dende shook his head. "No, but I know someone that does. If you don't know how to ride it, then you should start at a slower bike speed." He looked down at his handles and changed the bike speed from 5 down to 2. "The pedal brakes are for instant braking, the handle brakes are for slow braking, and drifting."

The boy blinked in surprise. "Oh wow, no wonder I didn't slow down in time. I'm glad you told me that." He tucked the soiled handkerchief in his pocket before speaking again. "You've helped me more than I hoped. Thank you isn't enough, I'm in your debt." He said and gave a small, respectful bow.

Dende held his hands up nervously. "Please, you don't owe me anything. I'm just glad to see you're alright. Enjoy the rest of your day." Dende turned to leave, but the boy grabbed his hand, keeping him from leaving.

"Wait, I didn't get your name. Do you mind telling me?"

Dende tensed at the warm hand connected to his palm. He couldn't get away from this boy fast enough. Ever since he laid eyes on him, his heart wouldn't stop beating out of his chest, and if he looked at him for too long, his face would start to heat up. Dende couldn't tell what was happening. The feeling made him anxious, but at the same time, full of excitement. "My name is Dende." He responded quietly, looking back at him.

The boy smiled at him. "Dende. What a sweet name. My name is Gohan. It's nice to meet you Dende."

His smile was infectious, and even more familiar than his eyes. He spoke his name as sweetly as the compliment he gave him. Dende found himself smiling and shaking his hand. "It's nice to meet you as well, Gohan." He may have thought his name was sweet, but Dende thought his name was heavenly.

Gohan seemed to smile more when Dende said his name. "I, ah, have to go meet my roommate in the dining hall, but I won't forget you, Dende." He told him, and gave his hand a gentle squeeze before letting go. Instead of riding off, Gohan took off with his Nimbus bike on foot, leaving Dende and Chiaotzu alone.

"I thought you'd never stop talking to him. These grass stains are starting to settle in my pants." Chiaotzu said, walking up to Dende's side. He looked up at his roommate, finding him still watching Gohan leave. He tugged on his robe. "Hello? Dende? Can you come back down to Earth please?" He asked.

Dende looked down at his roommate. "I'm sorry Chiaotzu, I didn't hear you for a minute. Let's see what we can do about your pants." He said and turned to head back towards their dorm building.

The day passed, and tomorrow came. Sunday. Objectively, Dende's favorite day, but this Sunday was different. It was the first Sunday he wouldn't be attending service at Dragon's Temple. It was strange, he never missed a service. But still, missing service wouldn't stop him from attending the worship center on campus and doing some journaling.

Dende sat in the sanctuary of the worship center. The front of the room was intimately lit with candlelight, and dim lanterns lined the walls. A long altar stretched to both ends of the room, giving adequate space to all that used it. The smell of incense and withered flower petals drifted in the air. It brought comfort to Dende as he journaled quietly.

I am thankful to have woken up to another beautiful Sunday. While I am not in Dragon's Temple, I am still at peace. The University's Worship Center brings me comfort as I write. It smells familiar and looks beautiful. The soft flames from the candlelight remind me of the sun shining off of a lake. I am grateful for a sanctuary like this. I look forward to spending my future Sundays here until I return to Dragon's Temple.

I am thankful to be in University. I look forward to starting my studies in theology and fulfilling my mission to spread the word of Kami. I am thankful for my roommate. I am grateful that their intentions are pure, and that they can be trusted. I hope to build friendships in fellowship, embrace all things positive, and release all that is negative.

Dende looked up from his writing, sighing quietly. He still had more to write, but didn't know how to proceed. The events involving the student biker weighed heavily on his mind, and his hand almost burned with how badly he wanted to write about it, but he didn't know what to write. He felt as if he was obsessed over the situation, as he could not get his head to stop replaying the events over and over again. His eyes. His smile. His hands. Dende thought about all of it.

His hand started to write again.

I wish to always live in truth. I require Kami's guidance. I can feel the balance of my emotions shift as I continue to think about the boy I healed. I am thankful I was able to heal his wound, but I am ashamed of my thoughts. They are obsessive and wrong to think. However, the simple thought of him brings me a type of joy that I cannot explain. He is familiar to me, but I have never met him before. His eyes remind me of a place I've never been, and his smile reminds me of someone I once cared about. I am in need of a sign. A sign from Kami that ensures that I should follow my inner guidance.

Dende read over his journal entry again. Satisfied with today's journal, he began to write the main ideas of his journal entry below it.

I am thankful.

I am at peace.

I embrace all things positive.

I release all things negative.

I wish to always live in truth.

I wish to balance my emotions.

I wish to follow my inner guidance.

After writing, Dende closed his journal. He'd leave in a few moments, but he was in no rush. He was still enjoying the peace that sat in the sanctuary with him. He looked around for a moment, finding some students sitting quietly in the pews, reading, writing, or meditating. He looked up at the altar, finding other students leaving offerings and saying prayers. Despite the prayers being whispered to the altar, Dende could hear all of them.

"…Please give me the strength to carry on throughout the semester."

"...Bless the professors and all that teach. May their hearts be pure, and their grading gentle."

"…Dear God, please send me a beautiful girlfriend this year…Remember that I said 'beautiful.'"

"…Thank you for sending the boy that helped me yesterday. His name was Dende."

Dende looked up at the student who was using his name at the altar. Even with his back turned, he could tell that it was the same boy that he mentioned in his journal just moments ago, Gohan. He was thankful for meeting him yesterday. Dende felt a swelling in his chest. He had to hear more of his prayer. As grievous as it was to listen in on someone else's prayer, he took it as the sign he was seeking. His inner guidance begged him to listen in on the rest of the prayer, so he did.

"…I was bleeding from my arm, then all of a sudden I wasn't. I can't quite explain it, but I think he healed me. His hands were warm, and he was so gentle when he held my arm. He's also soft-spoken, and very sweet. He even gave me his handkerchief. I put it on the altar so you could see…Grandpa Gohan? I don't ask for much, but if it's not too much of a problem, can you bring him back to me? He feels important like he's meant to be in my life, or like he's been in my life before. I know it's strange, but I know what I feel. If Dende is meant to be in my life, please show me a sign…May your wisdom and guidance always bring fortune to the Son family. We are grateful for our ancestors."

Dende thought receiving his sign from Kami was fast, but overhearing Gohan's prayer at the altar had to be nothing other than Divine Intervention. He watched as Gohan packed away his offering in a small case. This chance was better than any other. He received his sign, and Gohan just asked for one. 'Surely there's no bigger sign than the person you're asking about, right?' Dende thought as he stood from the pew and headed out of the sanctuary.

Gohan turned away from the altar with his things in hand and sighed quietly. While he half expected Dende to be sitting in a pew when he turned around, he concluded he wasn't that fortunate. Ancestors didn't work that fast, did they? 'Prayers are answered when you least expect them.' He reminded himself walking out of the sanctuary. His sign would be given soon enough, he couldn't rush it.

Gohan pushed the door open, leaving out of the sanctuary and stepping into the foyer, where he heard students chatting quietly.

"Gohan?"

Gohan turned, finding Dende waving at him. 'Grandpa Gohan, thank you for proving me wrong' Gohan thought as he walked over to Dende. "Good morning Dende. For some reason, I thought you'd be here." He greeted him with a smile.

Dende smiled at the response. "I was finishing my journaling when I saw you at the altar. I hope you didn't think it was strange I waited for you."

Gohan shook his head. "Oh no, not at all. I'll walk you to wherever you're going next."

"I would appreciate it," Dende said with a nod and made his way toward the door.

Gohan went ahead of him, pushing the door open to the outside. "I was hoping I'd see you again."

Dende glanced at Gohan as he passed him in the doorway. As much as it would embarrass him to say it, he was working to always live in truth, and follow his inner guidance. "I was hoping to see you again as well." Thankfully, it was more relieving than embarrassing to admit aloud.

Gohan seemed to hesitate before following Dende and speaking again. "Um, I didn't feel right keeping your handkerchief, especially since it has the name of a temple on it." He said, opening the box he had on his person and pulling out the handkerchief he gave him yesterday. "Here. Cleaned and brighter than before."

Dende smiled slightly at the restoration of the white fabric. "You're very considerate, but I told you I had plenty. I don't need it back."

"Are you sure?"

Dende reached into the pocket of his robe and pulled out a handkerchief identical to the one in Gohan's hand. "I'm sure." He said, still smiling.

That made Gohan laugh slightly. "I guess you weren't kidding."

Dende nodded in response as he continued to walk. "We give them out for mission purposes."

"Well, they're very effective. Dragon's Temple? Is that where you go for Sunday services at home?" Gohan asked, looking at the fabric.

Dende nodded. "I've been attending all my life. It's where my home is. What about you? Where do you attend for Sunday service?"

"I go to King's Castle in East City."

Dende perked up at the information. "I've heard of King's Castle. They're very big shrines, with hundreds of members in attendance." He's always wanted to attend a sermon at a Kings Castle Shrine, just for the experience. "I'm sure it's wonderful to attend, I've always wanted to go."

Gohan shrugged as he continued to walk alongside Dende. "I don't think it's the experience you'd expect. King's Castle isn't a very original experience. There's one in every major city, and everyone attends. It takes forever to find parking and seating in the sanctuary. You never see or sit next to the family you saw last week, the sermons are pretty generic, and you stand in line for hours just to get to the altar for prayer and offering."

Dende deflated slightly. He'd never known Sunday services to be troublesome, but King's Castle sounded more inconvenient than an experience. "I'm sorry you have to go through that every Sunday. It sounds tiresome."

Gohan glanced at Dende for a moment. "I didn't mean to make it sound tiresome, but really, everyone attends. If you still want the experience, I don't mind taking you."

The reply seemed to lift Dende's spirits again. "Really?"

Gohan nodded. "Really. But in return, I'd like it if you'd take me to Dragon's Temple."

Dende's excitement furthered. "You're interested in Dragon's Temple?"

Gohan smiled at his reaction. "If anything, Dragon's Temple sounds more original. What's it like?"

Dende thought for a moment as they approached his dorm building. "Well, our temple studies from the Book of Kami. It's not many members in attendance, service is never longer than an hour, and I've never heard the same sermon twice."

"You had me at 'never longer than an hour.' What is the Book of Kami?"

"The Book of Kami are stories of Kami, the previous Guardian of Earth, that explain the history of Earth, his role as the guardian, and who are its protectors."

Gohan seemed confused. "But if Kami is the guardian of Earth, why doesn't he protect it?"

"Because there are warriors put in place to protect it."

Gohan's eyes lit up at the information. "Warriors? That sounds so cool."

"It's quite interesting. There are plenty of stories of pillagers and warriors. Stories of regret and redemption. Loss and gain. What it truly means to be strong, and understanding your purpose and reason."

"Wow. That sounds better than any book I've ever read."

"That's only the stories of the warriors. That's in the New Stories, the second part of the book. Kami's stories are the Old Stories, the first part of the book. They explain his origin, and the story of the Eternal Dragon."

"The Eternal Dragon? Does he grant eternal life?" Gohan asked curiously.

Dende stopped near the entrance of the dorm building. "Close. He can grant any wish you want as long as it's in his power."

Gohan's mouth fell open in surprise. "Seriously? How cool is that?" He asked, stopping in front of him. "So what else happens in the Book of Kami?"

Dende gave a teasing smile. "I don't want to spoil the whole thing for you, but I have an extra copy in my room that I'm happy to let you borrow." He said reaching in his pockets to pull out the key card to his dorm.

"Here, I've got it," Gohan said, his key card already in hand. He swiped the door panel with his card and pulled the door open.

"I didn't know you lived here as well," Dende said walking inside the dorm's lobby.

Gohan nodded as he followed behind Dende. "I stay on the first floor."

"I stay on the second floor. I'll bring my copy back down to you, I'll be right back." With that Dende ran towards the stairway, disappearing behind a door. As promised, Dende soon returned with a dark green covered book with the words 'The Book of Kami' written in gold script font. "Here you go. I know classes are starting tomorrow, so there's no rush on returning it."

Gohan took the book with a thankful nod. "I appreciate it. I'm excited to start reading."

Dende nodded as well. "I hope you enjoy it. Thank you for walking me back to my dorm building. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday." With that, Dende started to take his leave but stopped when he heard Gohan's voice.

"I'd really like it if we met every Sunday."

Dende looked back at Gohan. He seemed shy after making his statement. Perhaps Gohan was also struggling to live in his truth. He could tell that Gohan was at least making an effort, which made it easier for Dende to reply. He smiled at him before speaking. "I'd like that too. I really enjoy your company, so I hope we can be friends." He pulled the door in front of him open. "See you next Sunday, Gohan."

A/N My goal is to upload these all at once to help catch up with where I am currently writing. Feel free to binge read lol until next chapter!