A/N Prewritten chapter, yada yada. Full Author's Note on AO3, blah blah blah Happy reading :)
Sunday came around, and Dende couldn't be happier. He was finally going to attend King's Castle with Gohan and his family. It was something he was looking forward to since meeting Gohan. He promised that he would take him to King's Castle for Sunday service and the day had finally arrived.
The family readied themselves in the early morning, and piled into the car to begin their journey to East City. Instead of sitting next to Gohan, Goten sat between them, being the shortest. During their journey, Dende wrote in his journal, unsure if he'd be able to write during their time at King's Castle.
"Is that a diary?"
"No, it's a journal."
Goten smiled teasingly. "A journal is just a diary for boys."
"Then maybe you should have one. It would get you to talk less." Gohan muttered.
"If I had a journal, I'd write about how lame you are!" Goten shot back.
"If you had a journal, everything would be misspelled and illegible."
"I can spell!"
"Spell 'journal.'"
"…G?"
Gohan laughed and shook his head. "I always thought you had cement for brains, but now I'm sure."
"At least I can't block the sun with my big head!"
"Boys! I'd like to have one, just one Sunday where you aren't insulting each other the entire way to service! Now sit back, shut your mouths or you won't like where my shoe ends up!" Chi-Chi screamed.
Gohan and Goten fell silent.
Chi-Chi looked back at Dende. "I apologize for yelling Dende, I hope I didn't disturb your writing."
"It's fine. You made it a lot better actually."
Dende didn't expect it to be so hard finding a parking spot, but once they did they were out the car and walking inside. Goku held the door for the family to walk in and Dende was astonished at the sight.
Elegant religious depictions covered the walls. Long marbled pillars lined the foyer. The floor was swirled in intricate patterns. Soft instrumental music played over the speakers. A small fountain sat in the middle of the foyer, and beautiful flower arrangements sat on side tables. The large gold trimmed door was held open for others to walk in and find their seats. Gold plated elevators were offered on both walls to the left and right of him. A grand staircase curved up the right side of the wall leading to a balcony and second floor seating. Dozens of people littered the room speaking in private conversations as they waited for the sermon to start.
"Mom, can I get a snack from the vending machine before sermon starts?" Goten asked.
Chi-Chi looked around in her purse for loose change, but all she had was the money for tithes. The bill was too big to break in the vending machine. Before she could tell Goten, Goku was already giving him a few Zeni. "Get me something too Goten."
With a nod Goten took the money and looked up at his brother. "Will you go to the vending machine with me, Gohan?"
Gohan made a face of annoyance. "Go by yourself."
With a frown, Goten hesitantly went off to the vending machines alone.
While Gohan and Dende sat on a cushioned bench off to the side to talk, Goten went down an obscure hallway to find the vending machines. He walked past the bathrooms and water fountains to find the few vending machines that sat at the end of the hall. He had to be quick, he didn't want those two boys showing up.
Before he scanned the money in the machine, Goten practiced pressing the numbers. Sometimes he'd press the vending machine number backwards and end up with the wrong snack. When he was certain in the number order, he began scanning his money.
"You gonna get something for us?"
Goten whipped around, pressing his body against the machine. This was why he had to be quick. These two brothers had been picking on him before sermon for the last month. They were older than him, stronger than him, and it was never a fair fight. "It's not for you. It's for me and my dad."
The first brother with blond hair shoved him aside, making him fall on the floor. "Well you're taking too long, I wanna snack." He said and pressed the numbers on the vending machine, dispensing a snack with Goten's money.
"Hey, that wasn't yours!" He yelled.
"We'll pay you back, promise." The brown haired brother said next and leaned down to pull Goten up by his hair. Goten whined in pain as he was forced up by his hair. "Besides, you should have used that Zeni to buy yourself a comb for your hair."
"Let me go!" Goten yelled, swatting his hand away.
"Who dressed you in that monkey suit and bow tie? Your mommy?" The blond boy asked.
"I kinda like the bow tie. Think it would look better on me." The brown haired boy said and grabbed Goten by his dress shirt and held him up.
Goten flailed around hopelessly. "Put me down!"
The blond brother grabbed Goten's arms, holding them behind him. "Not before he gets his new bow tie."
"I didn't know we were playing tag teams."
The two brothers turned around, finding Gohan standing behind them. Instantly the brothers let go of Goten and he fell to the floor. He scrambled to stand next to his brother.
"We were just playin' around." The blond brother said.
"Oh really? Because it looked like you two were bullying my little brother. Pretty cruel handicap when both of you are beating him up, maybe I should tag in and even things out." Gohan offered his brother his hand. "Whaddaya say Squirt? Tag in?"
With a smirk, Goten slapped his big brother's hand and Gohan turned back around to the brothers, going to work. He grabbed them by their heads, and knocked them together before shoving them into the vending machine. The brothers slumped and crumbled down to the floor.
Gohan grabbed the two by their shirts, holding them in the air. "If I catch you picking on my brother again, I won't be so nice." He spoke lowly before turning to throw them down the hall away from the vending machine.
The brothers landed unceremoniously on the floor before they managed to pull themselves up and run out of the hall.
Gohan turned back to his little brother and began fixing his clothes and hair back properly. "I'm guessing they were why you wanted me to take you to the vending machines?"
Goten nodded.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
"I thought I could take them."
Gohan scoffed. "They're twice your age and it was two of them, no you couldn't." He glanced at the machine. "Did you get your snack?"
"They used dad's money to get a snack for themselves."
Gohan reached down in his pants pocket. "What do you want?"
Goten pointed to the snacks he wanted and then the snacks his father wanted, and Gohan used his money to get the snacks.
"Thanks Gohan."
Gohan looked over at his brother, squatting down to steal a kiss from the top of Goten's head.
"Anytime Squirt."
Service eventually started with the family seated together. Dende sat in between Goten and Gohan to avoid any arguments. He doubted there would be any though, considering the daggers Chi-Chi was glaring into them.
The sanctuary was enormous, and styled like a concert hall. The minister looked so small from where they sat, but maybe he was just that small. Dende listened intently to the sermon, but it seemed formulated. It was easy to understand and follow in the religious text, but it didn't seem very unique. Not to mention longer than he thought.
Dende thought the sermon could have been concluded in half an hour, but after an hour and a half, Dende started to grow tired. Goten was asleep in the first thirty minutes, curled up on the pew with his head in Dende's lap. Gohan had fallen asleep the next thirty minutes. He rested his head against Dende's shoulder and quietly fell asleep. For the next thirty minutes, Dende fought off the tedious feeling that made him tired, but he couldn't hold on. He gave in by tucking his own head under Gohan's, and gave in to gentle slumber.
When the sermon was finally over, Chi-Chi noticed her boys all sleeping a little too peacefully. She moved to wake them up but Goku stopped her.
"They're at least quiet Chi-Chi. Let them sleep. We'll give our tithes and offerings at the altar, and wake them up when we're done." He said and grabbed his wife's hand to lead her down to the altar.
…
Dende woke at the feeling of the weight being lifted off his lap, and a head being shuffled from under him. He rubbed his eyes and looked up, seeing the family getting ready to leave. He was offered Gohan's arm, and he stood to loop it around his. Goten stood on the other side of his brother holding his hand.
"Did you boys enjoy your nap?" Goku asked.
"I hadn't meant to fall asleep, I just didn't expect the sermon to be that long." Dende admitted.
"It's fine, Dende. The boys fall asleep every Sunday. It's the only time they're quiet and I have the focus to listen to the minister." Chi-Chi said.
"How was your first visit to King's Castle?" Gohan asked.
Dende didn't want to say it outloud, so he leaned over to whisper in his friend's ear. Gohan chuckled quietly at his words, and leaned over to Dende to whisper his reply. Dende covered his mouth to giggle, and he squeezed Gohan's arm gently. He was looking forward to next Sunday for their visit to Dragon's Temple.
"Mom, are we getting something to eat? I'm starving."
"Yes Goten, we're going to the restaurant now."
Eating at the Delicious Buffet after Sunday services was a weekly occurrence for the Son family. It gave Chi-Chi time to rest from cooking dinner everyday, and allowed her boys to eat as much as they wanted with extras to take home for later. It used to be embarrassing seeing the plates and bowls stacked up on their table, but they were well known at the restaurant, and Chi-Chi became used to it.
Dende had stuck to water, but Gohan still brought him his favorite snack in case he wanted to eat it. It was thoughtful, but he had been eating it everyday since he's been in Mount Paozu. He wasn't tired of eating it, but he certainly needed a break from it. Everything the boys brought to the table did look appetizing, but he still wasn't moved enough to make a plate on his own.
"Thank you for taking us out for dinner mom. I missed having this time after service with you while I was in school."
Chi-Chi smiled warmly at her oldest words. "Of course sweetheart. We were so happy having you back this week."
"Yeah, thanks mom. I'm glad today can give you a break from cooking." Goten said next with a grin.
"Goten shut up. You only said something because I said something."
"You shut up! I can tell mom thank you too!"
"Not after I told her thank you first. It just looks like you're obsessed with me."
"You're obsessed with yourself! No one spends that much time in the mirror!"
"Well maybe you should spend more time in the mirror!"
"Boys!" Dende and Chi-Chi both yelled at the same time.
Dende covered his face in embarrassment as Chi-Chi laughed softly.
"I apologize Chi-Chi. Sitting in between their arguing got a little bothersome." Dende spoke shyly.
Chi-Chi shook her head. "It's fine. It just shows how much you've gotten used to our family. I'm glad you're comfortable Dende."
Dende smiled. "You've all made me feel so welcomed into your home. I can't tell you how much I've appreciated the time."
Before Chi-Chi could reply, Gohan asked, "Are you sure you don't want to try anything at the buffet Dende?"
Dende shook his head. "I'm sure, thank you for offering."
Gohan smirked. "Well you keep looking at my grilled fish, so I had to ask."
Dende couldn't help but giggle, he hadn't noticed. "Sorry for staring. Korin makes the best grilled fish at home, so it made me miss eating it." It was even rarer for Dende to eat something outside of his watermelon and cucumber snack, but he could never pass up a few bites of Korin's grilled fish and steamed rice.
Gohan shrugged. "Well it's not Korin's but you can try some of mine." He said picking up a bite with some rice with his chopsticks.
"If I want some I can get some on my own."
"If you get some of your own you won't finish it. Just try it."
Instead of arguing, Dende allowed Gohan to feed him the bite of food that he offered him on his chopsticks. It was embarrassing being fed by Gohan at the table in front of his family, but there was something about it that Dende liked. It was a very loving gesture, and he couldn't complain about it.
"It's good, but Korin's grilled fish is spicier."
Gohan laughed. "You like spicy food?"
"I'm the only one in my family that does. Cargo teases me about it all the time."
In the late evening, Chi-Chi and Goku prepared themselves for bed. She sat at her vanity mirror, putting her hair in her bonnet while Goku did sit ups on the floor.
"Goku, can I ask you something?"
"I didn't eat the last of the kimchi, it was Goten."
Chi-Chi rolled her eyes. "That's not what I was going to ask."
"Oh. Well what is it?"
"Do you think our son likes his friend?"
"Well, yeah. I mean, it's his friend."
"I mean more than a friend. In the way that I like you."
Goku paused his workout for a moment. "Oh, like as a wife? I think Dende would be a great wife for Gohan. They have a lot in common and they look like they make each other happy…But I guess that wouldn't make Dende his wife. Dende is a boy, so that would make him his husband, right?"
Chi-Chi nodded. "They would both be husbands."
Goku shrugged. "I don't see anything wrong with it. Gohan makes a great effort in protecting Dende the same way I protect you. I'm just glad he's able to do that for someone he likes. Do you have a problem with it, Chi?"
Chi-Chi had been observing their interactions all week. It was clear that Gohan and Dende were more than just friends. The way he held him, how he talked to him, and how he treated him were all a part of how Gohan showed love to someone he was interested in. "I just don't know why he wouldn't tell us. Gohan possibly marrying Dende would mean that I wouldn't be able to have grandchildren from him."
"Well I mean, you are always yelling at him about talking to girls, and to not date girls while he's in school. You even told him you were happy that he wasn't bringing a girl home for break. Maybe he just thought liking boys was something you'd be okay with." After that Goku went back to doing his sit ups, signaling the end of the conversation.
Chi-Chi sighed at the reply, Goku made a decent point. The only reason why she did make such a fuss over girls was because she didn't want him distracted from his studies. Chi-Chi has had such high expectations for Gohan since he was a child. She knew that he would become a great scholar, or something high-ranking in academic credibility. She was thrilled when he chose to go to school to be an orthopedist. She didn't expect her nagging about girls to backfire.
Maybe she did corner her son into liking boys.
The next morning, Bulma came early to pick the pair up to take them to Yunzabit Heights. Trunks came as well, and Goten had decided to come on the trip to drop them off as well. He didn't want to miss any fun.
"Thanks for stopping by Dende, you're very nice." Goku said.
"Thank you Goku, you're very nice as—" He stopped his sentence short when Goku wrapped him up in a gentle hug, lifting him off the ground slightly.
"I thought a hug wouldn't hurt. I'm good at those. It didn't hurt, did it?"
Dende smiled as he shook his head. "Not at all. Thank you."
"You've been a joy to have Dende. You're welcome to visit anytime." Chi-Chi spoke.
"Thank you Chi-Chi. I'm so glad you had me. You're a wonderful mother, and you've done more than comfort me in a time where I needed it most." Dende never had a mother, but staying with Chi-Chi had made for a loving and unforgettable experience.
Chi-Chi reached out to hold his face, and Dende leaned down to allow her. She gently cupped his face and she tilted his head down to place a sweet kiss on the top of his head. "I'm glad I was there when you needed me. And thank you for taking care of Gohan…It's very lovely to see the admiration you have for my son." She spoke to him quietly.
Dende hadn't known what to say, just nodded at the reply. The gesture was sweet and the words were as well. Perhaps she had an inkling that he liked Gohan, which hadn't surprised him. Dende noticed how watchful she was of them, she could have inferred that their friendship was more than a friendship. Having her approval made him feel warm.
"Hey Dende, we're getting ready to go. We've got a long trip ahead of us." Gohan said, coming over to the two.
Dende nodded. "I'll be on the ship. Say goodbye to your mother please." He ordered gently before taking his leave on the VTOL.
"I am." He said, slightly confused at such a request. Gohan turned back to his mother. "I was going to say bye to you, honest."
"Dende just wanted to make sure. It's his right." She said, pulling her son into a hug. "I'm glad you came to visit. You have no idea how much I miss you."
Gohan wrapped his arms around his mother. "I miss you too mom, I'll start calling more. Thank you for being nice to Dende. He's a good friend, so I'm glad you treated him well."
"I know he's close to you." She said and cupped her son's face. "I love you so much Gohan. I don't want you to ever be afraid of talking to me. I will always love you, through everything, and anything." She said and kissed his cheeks gently.
Gohan smiled at her words. It was sweet of her to say, though he didn't know why she was saying it. It was a bit cryptic to him, but still sweet regardless. He kissed the top of his mother's head. "I love you too mom. I'll talk to you soon."
.
.
.
The trip to Yunzabit had been full of more conversation since Goten decided to tag along and Dende wasn't napping. Trunks and Goten spent their time playing while Dende and Gohan spent their time talking.
"Oh! Before I forget, Dende, Gohan, I have something to show you." Bulma interjected. "Trunks, can you grab the radar out of the passenger compartment and show it to Dende and Gohan please?"
"Sure thing mom." Trunks said and ran up to the front to grab what she asked for out of the compartment. He took the radar back to the pair. "Mom's been working on this for the past couple of days. She said it works great and it's really accurate." He clicked the radar a few times to show them how it worked. "That's the one at our house, the one at Gohan's house is right here, so that means the rest are scattered in random places."
"Trunks and I are going to start looking for them this week. We'll keep you updated on what we've found." Bulma called over her shoulder.
"Can I come too? Please? Please? Please?" Goten begged.
"Yeah! Mom, can Goten come to help us look too?" Trunks asked as well.
"Well I guess the more the merrier, Goten you're welcome to help too."
"Yay!" Goten and Trunks cheered excitedly.
"Thank you for your help Bulma. I appreciate you working so hard to create a radar."
"It was my pleasure. I enjoyed the project, and I'm looking forward to the adventure. I'm sure it'll be fun."
Bulma touched down in Yunzabit Heights, landing on a patch of land not far from a small, homey building. Dende began wrapping a red scarf around him to keep him warm. "Yunzabit can be rather cold this time of year. Did you bring something to keep you warm?" He asked Gohan.
Gohan nodded. "I've got a couple of jackets, I'll be fine."
"Very well." He said and led Gohan off the ship and towards the building. The path up to the door was decorated with rows of flowers, and a plaque next to the door read 'Dragon's Temple' in faded gold script.
Gohan shivered. Dende wasn't kidding about the cold. A few minutes off the ship and he was already freezing. The winds in Yunzabit were strong, and the sky was dark with clouds, despite it being sunny and clear throughout the rest of the world. Dende pushed the door to the temple open, and they were greeted with the small quiet sanctuary.
Dende walked down the aisle of the sanctuary. "Where is everyone?" He asked quietly.
"Welcome home Dende."
The pair turned around to the voice, finding Mr. Popo standing behind them.
Dende smiled and went to hug the temple's caretaker. "Mr. Popo, it's so good to see you."
Mr. Popo held Dende tightly. "It's good to see you as well. You look healthy and happy, which is more than I can ask for." Popo turned to Gohan. "I see you took good care of him as promised, Son Gohan. Many thanks to you and your family."
Gohan bowed respectfully to Mr. Popo. "It was more than a pleasure. My family enjoyed having him."
"And we will enjoy having you. Please, make yourself comfortable in our humble temple. I will carry your bags to your room." He said, taking the suitcases in his possession.
"Father! Cargo! I'm home!" Dende called throughout the sanctuary. Instantly, a ceiling panel opened and a ladder slid down. A being almost identical to Dende slid down the ladder and came running over to Dende. They embraced tightly, laughing as they did.
"Missed you Cargo!"
"Missed you more Dende!"
Dende pulled away from his brother, wanting to look over him fully once. He frowned slightly at his clothes. "Cargo, is that my vest?"
Cargo looked down at his clothes and grabbed at the vest, modeling the maroon vest. "You forgot it when you left for University. Isn't it cute on me?"
Dende folded his arms. "I didn't forget it. It was packed on top in my bag, you took it out before I left." He accused.
Cargo folded his arms as well. "Well I think it's funny that you're wearing my scarf. It seemed to have gone missing as soon as you left for university."
Dende looked down at his scarf. "What's funny is you thinking that this is your scarf. I didn't see your name on it."
"That's because you probably ripped out the tag."
"I did not—!"
"Boys stop fighting in the sanctuary. We have a guest."
The boys looked to find their father coming out of a side door in the sanctuary.
Dende grinned at the sight of his father, and he went to hug him. "Father, I'm so happy to see you. I've missed you so much."
Dende's father hugged his son tightly. "You are dearly missed here, my boy. We are glad to have you home again."
Dende pulled away from his father and went to pull Gohan forward for introductions.
"Father, Cargo, this is Son Gohan. He's the one that saved my life. Gohan, this is my family."
"It's an honor to meet you both. Dende holds you both in very high regards." Gohan spoke with a bow.
"The honor is all mine. I am called Moori. Thank you for saving my son's life. I am indebted to you." Moori replied with a bow on his own.
"It's nice to finally meet you Gohan. Dende talks about you all the time on the phone."
Dende turned his head to his brother, his face turning into a lavender in color. "Cargo, could you stop embarrassing me please?"
"Well it's not like they're bad things. He always tells me about how smart and strong you are. He also mentions how cute—"
Dende slapped a hand over his brother's mouth, his lavender blush now a full lilac flush. "You'll have to forgive my brother. He tends to ramble senselessly, and often forgets that our conversations are private."
Gohan laughed at the interaction. He was glad that Dende was comfortable at home. He was looking forward to seeing a side of him not normally shown. "Well you've met Goten, so I know the feeling of having a younger sibling."
"Father, where is Uncle Piccolo?"
"He's in the valley meditating."
Cargo pulled his brother's hand away from his mouth. "You shouldn't be so eager to see him, considering your last conversation."
Dende began to the pulpit, stopping at a door behind it. "I wanted to apologize. Tensions were very high at the time we talked. I've taken the week to calm myself and have more clarity."
"Well you should hope he has the same clarity. He's been muttering about the things he was going to do to you when you came home."
Dende paused at the door, and looked over at Gohan. "Gohan, would you mind coming with me?"
…
Gohan and Dende walked down the long hill, and into the valley where they were greeted with a strange structure covered in moss. Dende looked around for a moment, finding his uncle Piccolo meditating under the structure. Gohan looked at the structure. It felt so familiar, but he couldn't place his finger on why. To him it almost looked like a spaceship, but spaceships didn't normally have a structure like this.
Dende approached his uncle cautiously. He was playing a dangerous game already. He was already upset with him, and now he was attempting to disturb him during his meditation time. However, despite the tension between them, Dende wanted to rectify it. He was embarrassed at how he behaved over the phone with his uncle, and was ready to take accountability.
"What do you want, Dende?"
Dende paused his steps, and he bowed deeply. "I wanted to see you Uncle, and introduce my friend to you."
Piccolo opened his eyes and stood from his meditation position. Gohan's eyes widened in surprise. Dende was taller than him, but Piccolo towered over the both of them. No wonder Dende spoke about him in such a menacing way. His height and aura was menacing enough. "I believe you owe me an apology before introductions."
"Of course. I was very out of line during our previous conversation. My disrespect was reprehensible, and unruly. I had no right to speak to you in such a manner. I take full responsibility for my actions. Please forgive me."
"Your apology is commendable, but your actions are unforgivable."
Dende stood from his bow to look at his uncle.
The hand that came flying towards his face was fast, but it hadn't connected.
Dende and Piccolo both looked at the one gripping his wrist.
Gohan seemed even surprised in himself. "I-I'm very sorry. It was just a reaction—" His apology was cut off when a fist went straight into his gut. Gohan could feel the very air in his lungs compress at the blow, leaving saliva to splatter from his mouth. Gohan fell to the ground in pain and shock.
Before Dende could kneel to help his friend, Piccolo grabbed his wrist, forcing him to look at him once more. "If you want to be back in my good graces again, you'll have to earn it on your own. Presenting this pathetic weakling you call your 'protector,' won't help you do it." With that he released Dende's wrist and dismissed himself from the pair, leaving them alone.
Dende kneeled down quickly to Gohan, who was still attempting to catch his breath. "I'm so sorry Gohan, I didn't mean for you to get hurt. Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I shouldn't have interfered, but I couldn't stop myself." What a painful lesson to learn.
Gohan pulled himself up, holding his stomach. "Man, your uncle is strong." He muttered. He was hoping a rib wasn't broken, but he felt as though it was. As much as it hurt, he was impressed to say the least. Mr. Piccolo was strong. Maybe he wasn't as strong as his dad, but it's been a while since someone's made him this excited.
His father hadn't motivated him to train in the way Piccolo just did.
A/N So a few things, Dende's family in Yunzabit Heights is introduced, the hunt for the Dragonballs beings, Chi-Chi believes her son is dating his best friend and won't tell her, and we spend the last day in Mount Paozu at Sunday service. I'm writing this half of their break kinda slowly, because I'm a little stuck on events but, the next chapter is currently being produced. I may not have it up by next Sunday/Monday, but we will see. Reviews are always appreciated. Until next chapter :)