Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ A Flower Falls ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

 

Chapter Two

 

Warnings: Mpreg, slash/yaoi (nothing explicit).

 

Piccolo groaned angrily . . .

 

This couldn't be happening, it just couldn't! How long had he been with Gohan now, a week? Maybe two. It wasn't that long anyway, or at least it didn't seem that long, in fact time seemed to have gone by all too quickly. Every minute seemed to blur into the next, every day seemed to merge into another, and he could spend hours in his lover's company and yet still feel as if he hadn't spent enough seconds taking in all his beauty and worth. It was strange that before time had always seemed to stand still for Piccolo - minutes going by like decades as boredom and longing consumed him - and yet since that day Fate had thrown Gohan into his arms life wouldn't stop moving! Just yesterday he'd spent talking to Gohan about everything from their childhoods to the present day, they'd joked over breakfast and fell silent over lunch before talking quietly in each other's arms over dinner, yet as he'd turned to see the moonlit night all he could question was `where did the time go?'.

 

He'd spent his whole life alone. He'd travel planets and explore worlds alone, he'd stay at home and train alone, he'd do everything alone! True it was a heart-breaking and empty existence; every waking minute was spent thinking of his tree and the moment that one person who'd complete him would come into his life, each night he'd lie alone wondering if there was something he could do to change things and make life easier somehow. So why was it now Gohan was here - having changed his life entirely - he felt this indescribable feeling of fear, of wanting things to go back to the way they were?

 

He knew it was wrong of him, after all Gohan was everything he ever wanted! The man was so smart no Namekian they'd met could compete with his intelligence, he was so strong he'd nearly bested Piccolo in sparring matches, and he was so beautiful and kind-hearted that every time Piccolo gazed eyes on him his heart would do an embarrassing jump and his mouth would run dry. Still it scared him, he'd finally found someone who completed him and left him feeling nothing but love and affection, and all he could wonder was `what if I lose that?'. Huh, it seemed the kid's stupid sentimentality was rubbing off on him, he was better than to worry about such ridiculous things and yet . . . what if he did lose Gohan? He was pretty damn sure he couldn't go back to the way things were, and he certainly couldn't find another mate because who could compete to the Saiyan beauty in his heart? He - he didn't really want to admit it but he loved Gohan, he actually loved him! When he went into town to buy Gohan clothes he was gone barely an hour and yet he missed him deeply, when he left their bed for even a second after love-making he felt nothing but guilt, his life now seemed to revolve around another and he was terrified that could all change . . .

 

Yet that was the problem, wasn't it? It was all going to change.

 

Sighing he looked down into his hand and looked at the fragile flower with its seeds. It was beautiful and fragrant, a majestic colour that was rich and rare, so soft to the touch that no man-made material could ever compete and here it was in his hand. It belonged to the tree above him, came from those rich branches that had brought him his first blessing of a mate and now it had dropped a new flower for him - a blessing or a curse, he had yet to figure out. He'd found the flower the very morning after their first lovemaking, he'd been shocked at first but he couldn't be surprised after what they'd done, but the problem was how could he bring himself to tell his lover? Could he? Shaking his head he realised he had no choice, he'd kept this flower with him for the past week in secret, he couldn't keep it to himself any longer . . .

 

Resigning himself to the task he drew in a deep breath and dropped the small flower into the hole beside him. It had taken him hours to decide on the right location to plant this new tree, this new life, at first he thought of planting it beside his own but then changed his mind when he realised that there were far more beautiful places to start a new life. It should have been a decision he made with Gohan in all honesty, but the knowledge that they were expecting a child just excited him so much - more than he'd ever admit or show - and it seemed before he knew it he'd searched every inch of his lands to find the perfect place. It'd all paid off in the end though, right now he was on the edge of the lake where the waters were so clear you could see to the bottom, far down the hill you could see his house bright and clear with forests off to the distant left, towns miles ahead and hills to the right. It was a view unlike any other and he felt proud to plant his son or daughter's tree in such a spot, it felt like he was already giving them something, something special that no one could take away, and that feeling forced him to smile.

 

Covering the flower and seeds with rich soil he gave a slight sigh and lifted his body up slowly from the ground. The sky was inky black as the night seemed to have crept by quicker than he'd expected, the stars were so bright he could make out every constellation and planet, and the breeze was so slight it was cooling and relaxing upon his skin. It was a beautiful night and usually he wouldn't be able to wait to get home and share it with Gohan, but tonight . . .?

 

“Gohan's going to freak out when he hears this,” He murmured half to himself and half to the growing seed beneath his feet, “I don't think he was expecting this so soon really, and he'll blame me of course - they always do - it's always the seme's fault.” Giving a snort of indignation he kicked at the ground lightly, he wasn't sure if he was pissed at himself or the stupid, growing plant but either way it felt good to kick something. “What am I - what are we going to do? What if Gohan doesn't want this? This is going to change everything and things were going so well too, figures.”

 

“You know,” At the noise of the voice behind him Piccolo jumped and froze his body, how long had Gohan been standing there? “Talking to yourself is a sign of madness.”

 

“Maybe I was talking to you?” He murmured.

 

“I don't think so, you wouldn't be talking about me in third-person else.”

 

Groaning in frustration Piccolo turned around to fully take in his mate. The second their eyes met he felt his heart begin to hammer and he realised just how hard this was going to be, after all just look at Gohan! He was perfect. In fact he was positively glowing, he looked so beautiful with his raven locks and dark eyes and skin so white it was like untouched snow, he'd put on some weight the past week or so too so that now he looked healthier and more handsome than before, and his clothes - despite being Namekian - suited him perfectly. He was standing with such a beautiful smile, head tilted and eyes half-lidded, that Piccolo could feel his body reacting already and the way his tail swayed in the night's air sent his scent of hefty musk thundering through Piccolo's senses. God this boy was perfect, so godlike almost, and he was going to risk it all right here and now? It - it wasn't like he could keep it secret though, after all Gohan was smart and he'd notice the bodily changes sooner rather than later and weren't mood swings and cravings part of it too? He couldn't keep this secret from his lover, it just wasn't good common sense, and then when Gohan did find out and asked `why wasn't there a flower?' then he'd be pretty damn screwed.

 

“So?”

 

With a slight laugh, that reminded them both of Goku, Gohan took a step forward and wrapped his arms around his mate's neck. He held on loosely and pressed his own body against the other's and stayed still for a moment to hear that heartbeat that always reassured him and calmed him, he could smell the faint, tangy scent of Piccolo drifting into him and feel the warmth of the older man under his rough fingertips and all he could so was smile warmly as he buried his head into that neck. He was scared when Piccolo didn't respond right away but after a few minutes those hands came around him and rested on his lower back, holding him so gently it was as if Piccolo was scared of hurting him should he hold any tighter. It was so strange of his love but he wasn't going to say anything, he just wanted to appreciate this moment whilst it lasted.

 

He was surprised really how well things seemed to be going, after all considering how they were strangers only a week or more again things were in fact going incredibly well! Piccolo went into town the very day after they first made love and brought Gohan some clothing, then once he was decent they travelled for a while around Namek so that Gohan could see the culture and the people, it was a complete contrast from Vegeta and he loved it! He loved it even more when he'd found a place as a healer in the nearest village, beginning to become one with the community and even make friends, sure he missed his family but they still kept in touch of course with phone calls and visits - trust Goku to discover an `instant translocation' technique. He guessed that was why no matter what Piccolo wanted to tell him he knew it'd all be okay, how could it be anything other that okay? Everything was perfect; in fact he doubted it could be any better!

 

Breathing in deeply he took in Piccolo's scent and moaned soft, “So? What is it you wanted to tell me?”

 

“I - err - I think you're going to need to sit down, okay Gohan?”

 

With a raised eyebrow Gohan pulled back and folded his arms firmly across his chest. He could tell that Piccolo was clearly embarrassed or nervous as the guy had a faint red tinge to his cheeks, his eyes locked firmly at an unfixed location that was far away from Gohan, and the moment they parted he folded his own arms also and his body tensed in such a way it seemed he was bent over a fraction more than his usual posture. Drawing in a deep breath Gohan stood his ground and lifted his head to emphasise his confidence, he knew this wouldn't be too bad whatever it was, and he would not sit down just because Piccolo thought he should! He wasn't a child for heavens sake!

 

“Piccolo,” He heaved, “I'm fine standing, now what's up?”

 

“ . . .”

 

Huh? He couldn't have just spoken because despite the fact his lips had moved no sound had come out, maybe he was suddenly shy and silent or perhaps he'd become nervous and mumbled it all? Either way Gohan had the sudden feeling that if whatever it was had to be so bad as to have a man so strong, confident and powerful tongue-tied then - well - it had to be bad full stop. Biting his lip he scratched his neck nervously and narrowed his eyes anxiously at the corners, it seemed in a matter of two seconds he'd gone from acting like a proud prince like his okasan to a nervous wreck like his papa, he could only hope Piccolo hadn't noticed . . . He didn't want his lover to think he didn't trust him or was assuming the worst, but it was hard not to! What if - what if Piccolo was cheating on him, or the tree had brought him the wrong person, or he had to go home? Oh God! He had to be calm; it didn't help to worry after all, right? Right.

 

“The - err - the tree, it - ah - it dropped a flower with a seed inside . . .”

 

Gohan froze. “A flower fell from the tree?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Taking in a deep shuddering breath Gohan stepped back. Okay, so this meant that - it was - he was - they were -? No. They'd only been seeing each other a week! Was that enough time to conceive a child? What if it was? Oh God, that meant they were having a child! They were going to have to buy all the baby things, tell his parents, go to Planet Vegeta at some stage to bless the child, then raise it of course, discipline it in the teenage years - this was such a huge responsibility! Gohan couldn't raise a baby! He was only sixteen! Okay, sure Piccolo was with him but so what? It would still be up to Gohan to wake up in the nights for feedings and remember to take a change of nappies out should they leave the house, it was still up to him to have `the talk' when the kid got older and ground them when they got bad grades and - and -!

 

And what would this do to his body? This meant mood swings and stretch marks and water retention and cravings and morning sickness and -! No way would Piccolo still find him attractive through all that, no way would he still love him, and what happened to those contraceptive potions he'd started taking? When he'd been priest of the moon it was up to him to heal many people, here he'd became a healer too, the potions were perfect and spot on! The one the day after their first time should have aborted any possible kid, the potions each day after should make sure none were to be conceived, how was this possible? Oh God, had a Namek and Saiyan ever crossed before? Would his child be okay? Would it be healthy? Would he be okay too? What if their were complications?

 

Suddenly he wanted to be home. He wanted to be arguing with his Okasan via video-phone about his duties, or complaining to his papa about how Goten wouldn't leave Trunks alone, or training his younger brother in combat. Suddenly the duties of being the moon guardian seemed less trivial, the people's problems more serious and the places around him less monotonous boring. He was going to be a parent! He and Piccolo were going to have a child and he - he was the one who would be giving birth to it!

 

Piccolo was right. He needed to sit down . . .

 

Crouching down on the grass he cast his eyes out across the lake, the waters rippled in the breeze and he could see the carp and koi swimming below, the trees reflected on the waters surface and he could see Piccolo's back and cape on the water too. Piccolo. What did he think about this? What if he didn't want a family? What if he didn't want a child? He didn't want to leave, he didn't want to be a single parent or - or . . .

 

“When - when am I due?” Gohan choked out.

 

“Huh - what?”

 

“I - I know it's a stupid question, we've only been - you know - about a week so that means it's got to be nearly nine months away, but I don't know what Namek pregnancy times are or how that could affect the Saiyan mother. I know we have a lot to talk about, like what we both want or expect and all the rest, but I want to say here and now that I'm keeping this baby regardless and - and because of that I need to know all I can about the biology behind this, how our genetics will affect our baby and me as it's carrier. I love you Piccolo, but -,” He winced and fought away the tears before the fell, rubbing at his eyes almost painfully, “I'm so scared!”

 

All Piccolo could do was blink in shock.

 

He couldn't believe what he was hearing from Gohan or the raw emotion that was pouring from him. He could see the quivering lip and hear the panting, gasping breaths and see the cheeks turn red and eyes blur with salty tears, the way his body shivered and he seemed to constantly swallow as if choking on fear itself. On sheer instinct he dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms tightly around his lover, pulling him into his hold and kissing the top of his head over and over until Gohan finally held back and stopped quivering. This couldn't be right. He'd admittedly been vague and who could blame Gohan for misunderstanding the situation, still Gohan didn't really believe -? Did he?

 

“Gohan, there's been a mistake?”

 

“What?” Lifting his tear-stained face he gazed up to Piccolo and began to shake his head continuously, this - this was it, wasn't it? This was where he'd hear that Piccolo was leaving him or that he didn't want this child or -! “Please don't leave me.” He whispered so soft he barely heard his own voice, “Don't leave us.”

 

Groaning low in his throat Piccolo smiled softly and in a mixture of irritation and love rubbed softly at the black hair that lay upon Gohan's head, kissing him once more and shaking his own head in shock and sudden understanding; “Gohan, I'll never leave you, only death could stop me from wanting to be by your side, and even then my soul is yours. If you ever make me say something so sentimental again I'll never forgive you either, okay? It's true though, I love you.”

 

“Then? Then what?”

 

Oh boy? This was it, wasn't it? Maybe he should have opened this discussion with this, it would have saved a hell of a lot of heartache and misunderstanding but still it wasn't exactly easy to say, in fact it was damn hard to even admit it to himself let alone to someone he loved so dearly. Breathing in deeply he had to remind himself just what Gohan was feeling, that the person who meant so much to him was in desperate pain and fear assuming the worst and wondering just what was to come, it was up to him to put things right and ease his fears - it was his duty. With a soothing gesture he rubbed lightly upon Gohan's back and massaged some of his tension from him, whispering sweet nothings that he thought might somehow console the boy from all he felt, and when the body in his arms finally relaxed he broke the silence with an answer.

 

“Gohan, you're not pregnant,” Piccolo sighed, “I am.”

 

“What?”

 

“That first night we were together, when we had sex for the first time, I did something incredibly stupid and I should have known better,” Oh Kami, he could feel himself blushing wildly and he knew he was probably red as a tomato by now, God only knew what Gohan thought as he looked up at him, “You probably remember but when we - when we finished, I - I tasted your, you know, come.”

 

Gohan drew in a deep breath and tried to stay calm. Sure he'd gotten his sexual education from Goku but he still knew the basics of how things worked, what Piccolo seemed to be suggesting was a physical impossibility! The flower had fallen though so it meant that one of them had to be expecting a child and that meant it had to be Gohan, he'd certainly not topped Piccolo yet and he was pretty sure that meant the only one possibly pregnant was him. He felt so conflicted! It was like Piccolo was mocking him and yet he wasn't, he was being deadly serious which meant that he more than likely believed this story of his and that was worrying, maybe he'd never had a sexual education or been told the facts of life? That would explain things a bit, but it still meant that Gohan was -.

 

“Gohan, you're spacing out.”

 

“You're not pregnant,” Gohan said a little too loudly, trying to hold back his tears, “It's impossible! You can't get pregnant from oral sex or ingesting ejaculate! It's basic biology!”

 

“Yes, it's also basic human biology that Human male can't bear children and yet it happens often on Planet Vegeta,” As Piccolo said this Gohan frowned and turned around to look back at the lake, he was sulking but considering everything that was happening he had a right to, “My race is all male, Gohan, ever consider that?”

 

“So, you could have male pregnancies that -.”

 

“No. We also bear young differently to other races; we expel our young orally in the form of an egg after about six months or so, often when the couples are both Namekians the child is practically a clone of the parent who borne it. The conception is - as you can imagine - different considering our anatomy, our ability to survive solely off water and spit our eggs our orally, we're different from you Gohan. We - we conceive by taking sperm orally rather than through vaginal or anal contact. Do you understand now? I tasted what you gave. It was instinct and stupid and because of it I'm carrying your child.”

 

Pushing gently against his mate Gohan moved back to allow himself room to look at the other. He could see the look of fear and sadness in Piccolo's eyes no matter how much he tried to hide the emotion, the way his eyes flickered and trembled and the way his gazed was slightly down as if in shame, he could see the faint blush on those cheeks and the way his body was hard and tense - it was a little like looking into a mirror, seeing his own earlier emotions reflected back at him in the form of his own lover. This explained so much; it explained how the pregnancy still occurred despite his contraceptive potions and how he hadn't felt any symptoms (other than weight gain though that was down to a change of diet). He felt relief that it wasn't him that would be going through the hell of pregnancy and childbirth, but he still felt an intense dread and fear inside him, he couldn't help but wonder if this `oral birth' would be as painful as it was for a Saiyan or what might happen to Piccolo, oh God, what if something did happen to Piccolo! He knew all about regular births but would he be able to administer pain relief to a Namekian, recognise signs of labour, and how the hell would he deliver the child?

 

Still, what did it matter? He - he was having a child! True he was young and that terrified him, but Piccolo wanted to be with him no mater what and they loved each other dearly, they had each other to support each other, and Piccolo wanted this child, right? It would have been nice to have had more time to get to know each other, for him to mature and be ready to be a parent, but now he knew they were expecting a new addition to their family he wouldn't have it any other way. He dreaded thinking what Vegeta would say, he'd probably flip so it'd be best to tell him via Goku, and what would his friends think to? They'd need to visit a doctor more familiar with Namekians too to make sure everything was okay, and did their house have room for an infant? Oh God, he was starting to look forward to this! Maybe it was because he wasn't the one carrying the child anymore, or maybe it was because he knew Piccolo was going to be with him forever, but felt so happy, content and joyful! He - he was going to be a father, and he'd have a child who'd look up to him the way he did to Goku!

 

With a bright and sincere smile he flung himself into Piccolo's arms, wrapping his own limbs around the older man he buried his head deep into his neck and breathed in the warm scent he now loved even more than before. He could feel tears pricking the corners of his eyes but solely from the absolute love he felt, the way his heart clenched in sheer bliss as he thought of what lay inside his lover and would soon join them! He could feel Piccolo holding him back and nuzzle his hair in an almost lost manner, the two joined as one for a long moment under the stars as the lake glistened and the moon shone down, everything felt so perfect and right he just couldn't describe it! He - he was going to be a father, a dad, a papa! They were going to be parents!

 

“Does this mean you're okay with it all, Gohan?”

 

“Yes and no,” He said laughing slightly, letting his tears fall, “I'm so scared still, I don't know anything about Namekian pregnancies! I guess I'm worried because I don't want anything bad to happen, plus I'm so young I don't know if I can be a good father, I spent my whole life in the Moon Temple being a Priest and now -! But it's good too, you know? We have something that's just ours, a part of us, something we made together! We get to share him or her and raise them and be with them, we'll be a family! It's - it's special but scary, does that make sense?”

 

“Perfect sense,” Piccolo said smiling, glad his partner was in his arms and unable to see the tears pricking his eyes as he spoke, “Thank you.”

 

As Gohan prepared to pull back and head back into the shelter of their home his eyes caught sight of something close to them, only inches from where Piccolo sat was the small soft earth where the flower had been buried and already peeking from the top layer was the small, green stem signalling a new life and new child . . .The small shoot was barely the size of a small blade of grass and yet to Gohan it was the most beautiful sight in the world, it showed their child was growing and that they were going to be parents! Maybe - maybe in a few years another tree would join this one, maybe they could have a large family and have the happily ever after Gohan had always dreamed of, the world suddenly seemed so full of possibilities! They were having a baby, a baby! It was - it was miraculous and brilliant and nothing could be better.

 

“Piccolo,” He whispered, “Look, it's growing.”

 

Pulling back he turned his head to catch sight of the small shoot that had at some point broken into the world, he smiled and moved his hand from Gohan's back to his own stomach and felt carefully for signs of ki that show a new life was on its way. It was strange; he'd always hated children with a vengeance but the thought of something shared between him and Gohan . . .

 

“Yeah,” He said looking down upon his slightly distended with a smile, “It is.”