Dragon Ball/Z/GT Fan Fiction ❯ Peaches & Cream ❯ Chapter 5

Peaches and Cream-Chapter Five

Soft.

It was soft. Soft and warm. Sound asleep, Goku rubbed his cheek on the whatever-it-was and let out a happy little purr. The thing wiggled around most enticingly, and he held it close to his breast.

All mine.

It smelled sweet, the soft thing. Sweet. He was so hungry. Pancakes were sweet, too, but he didn't think the thing was a pancake.

"Mmm...pancakes..." he murmured aloud.

Someone laughed, and the thing vibrated a bit.

"You're great, Dad." Another giggle.

The half-dream slipped away, and Goku came slightly awake. Golden light streamed in through the open window, more irritating than awe-inspiring this early in the morning. Eyes opened nonetheless, Goku found that the thing he was cuddling was Gohan, whose face was buried in his chest, though he didn't really smell like pancakes. The youth peered up at him through long, dark lashes, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Will you two shut up and let me sleep?!" Vegeta growled. The prince lay flush up against Gohan's back, an arm and leg tossed possessively over his two mates.

Goku obediently closed his eyes; he was comfortable and content, not really awake yet, and fully willing to stay that way indefinitely. His son, however, sighed with regret.

"Sorry, `Geta. I'm late for work."

Even without the elder saiyan's grumbles, Gohan and Goku could feel his annoyance the way one feels static electricity. Goku yawned and reluctantly tried to rouse himself. As near as he could tell, nothing and no one could keep Gohan from work, even if he wasn't always on time. Equally reluctantly, Vegeta extracted himself from their little monkey-pile and rolled over.

"Your loss, brat," he muttered sulkily.

Gohan sighed again, then leaned conspiratorially towards his father. "Don't mind Vegeta," he suggested in a whisper that could have been heard in the hall. "He's just grumpy `cause even with both of us here, he didn't get any."

Stifling another yawn, Goku chuckled. He had a feeling that that was a pretty accurate observation. Then, abruptly, Gohan leaned in further until their cheeks were touching, causing his sire's breath to catch in his throat. "Thanks, Dad," he said, whispering in fact this time. Goku relaxed at the words, wondering drowsily what he'd been thinking, and reached up to run a tentative hand through the boy's long, tousled hair.

Soft.

"No problem," he whispered back. "No problem."

The pair remained unmoving until Vegeta turned back to them, giving Gohan a pet of his own though his touch was anything but paternal. Oddly enough, the prince noted, the only one to blush at that was Goku.

"Go on, get out of here," Vegeta suggested a bit gruffly. "And don't you even think of staying late!"

Amused, Gohan flipped to face him and found himself being kissed quite thoroughly.

Two sets of midnight eyes closed; a third remained open, observing with a sort of guilty curiosity. Goku's lips parted even as his son's did, mouth dry as he watched his mate. The saiyan prince hardly waited for the invitation before slipping his tongue into Gohan's mouth. For his part, the boy's fingers came up to trace Vegeta's jawline as he kissed him back.

Judging by Vegeta's reaction, Goku thought proudly that his son must be a pretty good kisser. Then he became aware of the fact that this was the first time the prince and Gohan had ever been the least bit intimate around him; a hug, a quick brushing of lips or a veiled look didn't count. He self-consciously looked away. It didn't bother him, exactly; Goku just felt he could grow to like watching too much.

At long last Gohan pulled back. "Gotta hurry," he said. "Don't have too much fun without me, okay?" He crawled over Vegeta, leaning back across him to kiss his father's cheek. Goku smiled, trying not to blush at the unclad teen. What would Gohan think if he knew he'd been watching them? He had to stop being such a pervert!

Then he was alone with the older saiyan. The prince smirked at him, reminding Goku that he had to be careful what he thought in present company.

"What's wrong, Kakarott?" Vegeta teased. "Not getting jealous, are you?"

"Huh? Of course not, `Geta," he replied hastily, feeling his face heat once more. His lover raised an incredulous eyebrow at that. Goku opened his mouth to protest his innocence, and was silenced with a passionate kiss. Forgetting what he'd been about to say, he closed his eyes happily at the familiar rush of warmth that spread through him.

//'Geta.//

His mate's lips were soft and supple, alluring. The prince deepened the kiss, exploring Goku's mouth with a skillful tongue. The larger saiyan moaned softly, feeling his body respond. Vegeta tasted wonderful, like sex and blood, cloves and cinnamon. And a new flavor, one Goku hadn't noticed before. It was rich yet delicate, like sweet cream. Delicious.

Wanting more, he took control of the kiss, plunging his tongue eagerly into his lover's mouth. Vegeta always hesitated before yielding to him, as if to make it plain that it was all his own idea. Goku wondered offhand what it would be like to have a mate who wanted to be dominated, one who would submit completely, without question. Pliant, shy, delicate, just like that strange, out-of-place essence on Vegeta's lips...where had that come from, anyway?

//Tastes good, doesn't he?// the prince commented slyly. Goku inhaled sharply and pulled back, meeting Vegeta's gaze wide-eyed.

"W-What do you mean?" he asked, although he had a pretty good idea.

"Gohan, of course, baka." Vegeta smirked. "He's said the same of you more than once."

Shocked, Goku just stared at him open-mouthed.

The small saiyan rolled his eyes. "Don't go all prim and proper, Kakarott. You know very well what goes on between us, just like the brat knows what goes on between you and me."

"Well, yeah, but..."

"Accept, Kakarott. Just accept. Enjoy the situation."

Goku nodded slowly. Like Gohan's nudity the night before, it shouldn't matter. There was no harm in it, after all. Especially if his son was happy. Vegeta kissed him again, and this time he let the prince have his way. He also, hesitantly, allowed himself to enjoy that sweet, arousing flavor, even though he knew what had caused it. If it didn't bother Gohan, it couldn't be a big deal.

Some time later, Vegeta left as well, to buy food. This was one shopping trip that Goku was never to be allowed to come on, since he would almost certainly spend Gohan's entire paycheck. Alone for the time being, Goku wandered about aimlessly, looking for something to do.

He ended up in the living room, wearing only a pair of the jeans his son had bought for him. Running a hand repeatedly through his spiky hair, the large saiyan studied the collection of books his housemates had gathered. He'd never been much for reading, but supposed he should at least try to get smart. It surprised him sometimes that Vegeta and Gohan weren't ashamed of him.

Not knowing any of the titles, Goku finally chose what looked like a random novel and stretched out on the couch. A few pages in, he got back up and found a dictionary before continuing. The first chapter was a struggle-it turned out the book wasn't a novel; it was a biography of Richard Feynman, some sort of scientist though Goku would have been hard pressed to specify further. The things the man had discovered sounded amazing even if they were a bit beyond him. Goku was just starting to get into it when the doorbell rang.

Wondering who on earth would be visiting out here in the middle of nowhere, Goku set aside his reading and went to the door. It never occurred to him not to answer it. He didn't even think to see who it was first, though seconds later he would be regretting his honesty.

"Er...Chichi...what are you doing here?" Maybe not the brightest response, but better than the saiyan's first instinct, which was to slam the door and run. Damn, I was hoping I could avoid this!

Ignoring his question, the slender human just beamed at Goku, eyes watering. "Oh, Goku, it is you! I only half-believed when Goten told me..." Her smile turned to a scowl so suddenly that he flinched. "What am I doing here? What are you doing here?! And telling Goten to keep it a secret! He's usually such a good little boy. But I suppose I can't fault him if you were behind it." The scowl fled, too, replaced with a sort of lost, teary-eyed look. It made her seem almost humble, dressed formally as she was in dark blue, with her hair up. She'd always called it a `proper wife's look'. "Goku, darling, why haven't you come home? You left me-left us-all alone for years and years, and when you finally get back you don't even tell me! Honestly, how could you?!"

Sensing that tears were about to turn back to shouting, Goku sighed and stepped back, looking down. "I guess you'd better come in, Chichi." She did, wordlessly, and very obviously not looking around. Goku frowned, but led her into the dining room where he pulled her a chair. He didn't think it wise to sit with her on the couch.

She didn't even wait for him to answer her questions before barging ahead. "So I suppose you've seen what Gohan's been up to," the woman said disapprovingly.

"I'm not sure what you mean," Goku replied cautiously. He assumed she meant Vegeta, but things seemed to go easier for him when he pretended ignorance. Still, he couldn't keep his tone light. This was going to get ugly once he had a chance to explain himself.

His former wife took it for granted that he really didn't understand, though she did sound annoyed. "I mean that...that man he's taken to living with." Her small pink mouth twisted around the words. "Vegeta. I don't suppose you've talked any sense into him?"

Goku frowned again, slightly. Talk sense into him? Gohan had chosen a mate and was happy; why did Chichi think he would change that? He fully expected her to be furious with his own choice, but...

She sighed disparagingly. "No, of course not. But you, Goku. What's gotten into you? What are you doing here?"

It was the saiyan's turn to sigh. He didn't want to cause her pain-he did care about her, after all-but this had to be done. "Chichi," he began, forcing himself to look her in the eyes. "I know this won't be easy for you, I know you won't understand, but...I'm not coming home."

Her dark eyes-he'd always thought she had pretty eyes, when she wasn't yelling-widened. "What...? What do you mean, you're not coming home? Of course you are!" She let out a nervous giggle.

Goku took a very deep breath and let it out slowly. Resisting the urge to comb his fingers through his hair, he made his hands remain still and folded on the table. "I'm not coming home because I..." he swallowed, "I'm in love with Vegeta, and have been for a long time."

Chichi gasped and put a hand to her mouth; he thought she might faint. "But..." She didn't seem to know what to say first. "But what about me? Don't you love me, Goku? And him?! How could you want...it was bad enough with Gohan, but...and stealing him from your own son?!" The woman drew herself up, commanding. "Goku, stop this nonsense at once. I'm your wife, you love me, and we're going home. Now."

"I'm sorry, Chichi," Goku said softly. "I care about you-I always have-but Vegeta is my mate, and you aren't my wife anymore. If you think dying doesn't break our vows, I'll get some divorce papers. Either way, this is where I belong now. I'm staying."

Her eyes widened with every word until they appeared in danger of popping out of her head entirely. Goku feared she really might faint, but she was apparently too angry to do so. "I...I...I don't believe this! You really think you're going to leave me, after all I've done for you?! Leave me for that horrid man?!" Chichi's voice rose alarmingly; she stood half out of her seat. "You can't do this, Goku! You won't! I threw Gohan out for this sort of ridiculous behavior, but I'm not going to put up with it from you! Calling him your mate, like you're some kind of animal-and after Gohan's been with him in the first place-"

Goku's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You did what?"

Something in his voice made her pause despite herself. "What?"

"What did you just say you did to my son?"

He was speaking slowly, calmly, but for the first time in her life Chichi was afraid to say the wrong thing to him. "I...well, I told him...I mean, he just wanted to hang around that Vegeta and fight, so...I figured he'd be happier anyway..."

"What. Did. You. Do."

Trembling, she shrank away from him. "I...I told him to either stay home and study, or...or leave."

"And how old was he?" Still calm. Icily calm.

It was now Chichi's turn to swallow. "T-twelve," she stammered. "But I didn't think he'd really-"

"YOU THREW HIM OUT WHEN HE WAS TWELVE YEARS OLD BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WANT TO STUDY ANYMORE?!" Goku realized he had leaped to his feet and was looming over her, palms pressed flat into the sturdy table. "How dare you," he hissed, a faint ripple of energy radiating outward from his body. "How dare you treat my son that way?! From the beginning, he's done everything you wanted him to. I never taught him to fight, never objected when you made him stay inside day after day slaving over books. He always did just what you wanted unless he had no choice. And when he wanted to choose for himself...! You arrogant, selfish-" Goku grit his teeth and made himself stop; this wasn't like him. It just made him so angry that anyone would hurt sweet little Gohan! Especially his own mother, for whom he'd done so much. Still, it was over and done with, and only served to reinforce his decision to have nothing more to do with the raven-haired human. He would never have tried to spare her feelings, though, had he known about this beforehand.

Seeing him grow calm again, Chichi tried to justify her actions. "I know I was wrong, Goku. But by the time I could admit it, my poor Gohan had become that man's lover," she spat the word. "There was no hope for it after that; he won't have anything to do with me. I do let him see Goten," the woman added defensively. "And at least I didn't come back from the dead and steal away the person he claims to love!"

Despite his best intentions, Goku scowled at her. She wanted to judge him?! "I did not `steal' Vegeta from Gohan. They're very devoted to each other. Vegeta's just half-mine, is all."

This did not turn out to be particularly soothing. Chichi stared at the husky saiyan as if he had grown another head. Or three. Hastily, before she could start up with another round of finger pointing, Goku explained. "It was their idea; I didn't ask for it. I know it seems weird, but-"

"Are you sleeping with Gohan?"

"W-What?!" He was so taken aback that he just gaped at her. Sleeping with his son? Well, he had last night, but that didn't count. Not the way she meant. Did it? "Of course not!" he exclaimed finally, but his hesitation had destroyed what credibility he might have had.

"You are!" Disbelief and horror mingled on her face. And anger. "And you have the nerve to talk to me about being a bad parent? I may have disowned him, but I would never have hurt him like that! Never!" She stood up quickly and backed away. "How...how could you? I always thought you were such a good person, such a good father, even if you didn't know the first thing about raising a child...but to violate your own son like that...? What did you do, make him think he had to do what you wanted or you'd take Vegeta from him entirely?" Face twisting with disgust, she turned and stalked towards the door. Goku, jaw somewhere around his ankles, leaped to his feet and followed, protesting.

"Chichi, I would never..."

"Even if he was willing," she cut him off, "that's still no excuse. He'll regret it later, and how will he be able to live with himself, let alone you?" Her dark eyes, flashing with anger, met his one last time as she yanked open the door. "You sick, perverted monster! Better for Gohan if he'd never been born!" And his ex-wife stormed out and slammed the door behind her.

For a long time, the tall saiyan remained motionless, staring open-mouthed after her. His breath came in protesting gasps, and his head shook slowly in denial of her accusations. How could she possibly think that of him? He loved Gohan as much as he loved Vegeta; he'd cut out his own heart before hurting either of them!

But, ridiculous as it was, knowing Chichi believed it wounded him.

There was nothing to do finally but go sit back down at the table and think things out. Head in his hands, hair sticking out every which way from his long fingers, Goku tried to take in everything that had happened. It was no easy task; his thoughts were as jumbled as his emotions.

He pushed aside immediately Chichi's cutting remarks. He couldn't do anything to change how she felt about him, or make her understand the situation. Besides, he still couldn't believe she'd forced Gohan to leave home, just because he didn't want to be what she'd tried to make him! He was successful and happy; didn't that matter to her at all? And why in Kami's name hadn't Gohan told him what had happened between him and his mother? If he'd known, he could have found some way to handle the situation better, right from the beginning.

Gohan. Light. There was something he most emphatically did not want to think about. Chichi was wrong. She was, and that was a fact. And yet...

I dunno, Dad, you seem pretty good at it...

There were those tiny little incidents...

You're not so bad yourself...

That seemed so slight, so innocent, by themselves...

The soft silk of bare skin against his own...

But each time...

Goku's lips parted even as his son's did...

There was that feeling...

Rich and delicate, like sweet cream...

Like maybe...

Gohan...

Just maybe...

I love you...

He wanted something more.

"No!" The saiyan's fists clenched. "This is ridiculous! I'm not going to let her do this to me! I haven't hurt Gohan, I haven't done anything wrong, I haven't thought anything wrong! Vegeta said so, and I believe him!"

Goku cursed to himself. If only Gohan had told him about Chichi. She never would have had a chance to think those things then! He wouldn't have given her the chance! He wouldn't have given her the time of day, for that matter. Why, why had his son kept that from him?

By the time Vegeta returned, he was calm-on the surface, at least. The prince wrinkled his nose as soon as he walked in the door. He recognized that scent, and it certainly explained the distress and anger he'd been sensing from the Z fighter. Upon seeing him, Vegeta frowned, opened his mouth, then closed it again and began putting away their stock of food. Goku never even looked up from the dark wood of the table.

Outwardly he looked calm, if a good deal more serious than normal. Goku's thoughts, on the other hand, were still running in frantic circles that he couldn't seem to stop. He was peripherally thankful that his mate didn't question him. Vegeta, perhaps realizing he was waiting for Gohan, finished his task and sat down next to him.

"It wasn't my place to tell you, Kakarott," he said simply. Goku nodded without looking up.

The demi-saiyan wasn't due home for hours yet, but neither man was surprised when he burst in the door ten minutes later. Gohan dropped his briefcase and hurried into the kitchen. He looked flustered, and his black eyes were tight with worry.

"What's going on?" he asked, pausing in the doorway. "Dad? What's wrong?"
"Your mother paid a little visit," Goku told him a touch coolly. Still his eyes never left the table.

Gohan winced, sucking air through his teeth sympathetically. But before he could speak, his father turned to look at him.

"Why didn't you ever tell me what she did to you?" His voice was flat, but his eyes were hurt.

The teen blinked. That wasn't what he'd expected. "I...I just didn't think it was important."

"Not important?!" his father snapped.

He hastened to explain, startled by this uncharacteristic display of anger. "Well, when you first got back, I didn't know what exactly you wanted to do about Mom, so I waited. Then when you decided not to tell her you were alive again, I figured there was no reason to bring it up. I thought it'd just upset you."

Vegeta took the opportunity to give Goku a pointed look, which he ignored.

"It would have," the big saiyan replied, standing. "And I probably would have gone over there and told her off. And I wouldn't have made a complete fool of myself trying to explain things to her!"

Gohan swallowed. "I'm sorry, Dad, it never occurred to me."

"Well, it should have!" Goku didn't seem to notice he was raising his voice. "You knew she'd react badly if she came here and found out what was going on. The least you could have done is warn me that she.... Dammit, Gohan, she said...She thinks I....I would never hurt you...." Then he saw the look on the teen's face and realized he was doing exactly that. "Oh, Gohan...I'm sorry. She just made me so angry-but I shouldn't have taken it out on you." His face fell. This was all his fault, anyway! "And....I'm sorry that I wasn't here when you needed me."

"Dad...." Gohan stepped forward and embraced him, resting his head on his father's strong chest. Goku hugged him back fiercely.

"I'm sorry, Gohan. Son, I'm so sorry." He was frustrated and confused, as much by Chichi's accusations as by Gohan's evasion, and he was regretting that he'd ever opened his mouth in the first place. Gohan was the one who'd been ill-treated. He'd known Goku was upset, had felt it, and left work to see what was wrong. And Goku had yelled at him.

//I'm sorry.//

"It's okay, Daddy. Shh, it's okay." The youth stroked his hair in a backwards imitation of that morning. He wanted so badly to kiss him, to hold him and touch him the way he did Vegeta on the rare occasions when the elder saiyan was upset. He didn't know what his mother had said to Goku to hurt him so, but he meant to see her pay for it.

The prince sat still in his chair, leaving the two to work things out between them. He was thinking very hard about whether or not to finally kill that malodorous woman. It would certainly save them all some grief. He'd offered, before, knowing Gohan didn't have the stomach for such things, but the boy somehow thought she deserved to live. He'd even considered killing her anyway, making it look like an accident, but somehow Gohan would have found out. And probably gotten angry, the ungrateful brat. But surely now, he would see reason...?

//Don't even think about it, `Geta.//

A sigh. Well, he'd tried. But he had to wonder how the harpy's words would affect their plot. It was a good thing Kakarott had never learned to shield his thoughts properly; he was fine at blocking others, but he usually broadcast like a radio tower. Vegeta knew what she'd said to him, knew how he felt about it...and hoped it wouldn't make things more difficult for Gohan. The brat was determined to tumble his baka father into bed, and what Gohan wanted, Vegeta got for him.

He sighed again. If this lovey-dovey business kept up, he was the one who was going to get jealous! "Life with you two is certainly never dull," he interrupted. "Can the melodramatics, will you? The bitch is gone; let's have lunch."

Goku and Gohan looked at him, then exchanged amused glances.

"He has a two-track mind," the younger Son murmured.

Vegeta scowled at him. "And I would like to occupy one of those tracks as soon as possible, if you don't mind," he stated, annoyed.

"Which one?" Goku asked curiously.

"Turn around, bend over, and I'll show you," the diminutive prince snapped irritably. To his surprise-and chagrin-Goku blinked, turned around, and bent over with his hands on his knees. Gohan burst out laughing.

"Like this, `Geta?" asked Goku, looking back over his shoulder and grinning.

"Your wit is scintillating, Kakarott, I'm sure. Now both of you get out of here so I can cook."

They obeyed, grinning at each other as they slipped out of the room.

"So, now that I'm home, what do you want to do?" Gohan started removing his jacket and tie, admiring Goku out of the corner of his eye. He hadn't really noticed at first that his father was bare-chested, wearing one of the more form-fitting pairs of jeans he now owned. Even with everything that had just happened, Gohan couldn't stop wanting him.

He felt a flash of guilt from Goku. "I'm sorry you left work for me, Gohan. You don't have to stick around if you don't want to."

"Oh, Dad-I'd do anything for you. Don't worry about it. Hey, let's go outside for a while. I've been breathing in too many chemicals lately." Gohan quickly turned away and headed out the door. Maybe he shouldn't have said that. But, at least he'd managed to be nonchalant about it.

Staring after his son, Goku wondered briefly if Chichi had been right, at least about Gohan feeling threatened by his presence. Did Gohan really think he had to keep him happy? No, surely not. The youth seemed genuinely glad to have Goku around; he'd snuggled up to him last night, after all. He hastened out onto the porch, pulling the creamy door shut behind him. It was a pleasantly warm, sunny day, but Goku saw nothing as he sat on the step next to Gohan. The lean demi-saiyan had untucked and unbuttoned his white dress shirt, hinting at chiseled abs as the fabric swayed in the breeze. He certainly looked the picture of contentment in spite of everything.

Goku swallowed. He'd lived in this house for ten days now; the happiest ten days of his life. He wanted to think Gohan felt the same way, but...Before he showed up, his son had slept with his mate every night; he hadn't had a care in the world.

"Gohan?" He tried to look only at the leaves, red and gold beneath the cloudless sky.

"Yeah?" The teen looked over at him, but Goku couldn't meet his gaze. He was going to say what needed to be said, but he dreaded the possible reply.

"You know...I'd leave if you wanted me to. I wouldn't try to take Vegeta from you; I'd never do that. I...I can't stay here if it's going to hurt you, son."

Gohan's slim hand cupped his cheek, gently bringing Goku to face him. His large black eyes glistened with unspoken emotion. "Whatever she said to you, I won't let it come between us. Mom doesn't understand anything." A smile tugged at the boy's full lips. "We had one little argument. No big deal." The faint smile turned into a full-blown grin. "Besides, no matter what happens, I doubt Vegeta will let either of us escape, now."

"Are you sure?" Goku asked quietly, despite the relief flooding through him.

"Definitely." Gohan forced himself to lower his hand. This waiting was killing him! Damn Chichi for making this harder! Butterflies danced in his stomach with the effort of holding himself back. "You'll always love me, right, Dad?" Even if you find out how much I want you?

"Of course I will," the tall saiyan assured him with a smile. He could feel it now, how much his son cared about him, how happy he was. It made the air thick with warmth; how could he have not noticed it before?

Gohan had to remind himself to rein in his emotions once again; it was difficult to stay focused. He was afraid his father would read his thoughts in his eyes if nothing else, but he couldn't stop staring into those perfect ebony orbs. The memory of touching that soft, round cheek made him tremble. He wanted to feel that again, wanted more. It was an overwhelming temptation. The afternoon sun beamed down upon them, giving Goku's skin a warm glow, his eyes a brilliant sparkle. Gohan began to lean towards him. This moment was so perfect...surely it wouldn't do any harm if he...just pressed their lips together....

"Shells or radiators?"

The teen jerked back, startled. Vegeta stood in the doorway, clad in black jeans and a wifebeater, holding a plastic bag in each graceful hand, and waiting for an answer.

"Huh?" the two Sons replied.

"Shells or radiators?" the prince repeated impatiently, lifting first one bag then the other. They contained pasta, Gohan noticed. Vegeta wanted them to pick a shape. Or rather, that was his excuse for coming outside at just that instant. And stopping Gohan from making what might have been a huge mistake, he realized as his mate briefly related his mother's damaging words.

"Ooooh, let's have radiators!" Goku was exclaiming with a broad smile. Most food was down his throat before he even noticed what it looked like, but if they were having pasta, radiators were easier to eat.

Their irritable cook turned and went back inside without another word, and Goku turned back to his son. Gohan had been just about to say something important, he thought. He'd felt the boy go all tense inside, looking into his eyes. It seemed like he'd wanted to tell him something...why else would he want assurance that Goku would always love him?

Somewhat embarrassed, and inwardly quaking with anger at Chichi, Gohan stared at his knees. He had to say something. Anything.

"Dad?" Well, that was a start.

"Yeah?"

"You...took my being gay pretty well."

Goku blinked. "Being...gay? What's that mean?"

The demi-saiyan was surprised into looking back up at his sire. "You know...gay. Homosexual." When this did not appear to make matters any clearer, he added, "I like other men."

"Oh. Right. Well, it'd be pretty silly of me to have a problem with that, now wouldn't it?"

"I suppose so," Gohan admitted. "But after Mom, I guess I was a little self-conscious."

A look of sorrow and understanding flashed across Goku's face. Gohan continued hastily, before he could apologize again.

"It was really comforting, that you were willing to accept me just the way I was, without any questions at all. Even though I'd sort of snatched up the person you loved. There was always this...irrational fear in the back of my mind, that you'd...that you'd hate me."

"Hate you?" Goku looked truly baffled. "Is that why you asked...? Gohan...I don't know if it's possible to just stop loving someone, but even if it is, nothing could ever change how I feel about you. You and Vegeta are the most precious things to me in the entire world!" He sighed, suddenly exhausted beyond reason. "I'm really not a very good parent, am I?"

"Compared to Mom, you're the greatest," Gohan replied, unable to keep the amusement from his voice. "Seriously. You did everything you could for me. Besides," he added with a smile, "nowadays I don't need a parent so much as a friend. And where friends are concerned, there's nobody more loyal than Son Goku."

His father laughed, the bitterness disappearing from his face. "Well, in that case, I'll do my best!"

"You won't need to," the teen said softly. Goku put an arm around his shoulders, and they sat gazing at the sky until Vegeta summoned them for lunch.

That evening, Bulma telephoned, asking somewhat frantically for Goku.

The big saiyan spoke quietly with her for several minutes before hanging up. Looking worried, he informed his housemates that he had to get to Capsule Corps right away and would be back in a few hours. Then, without a word of explanation, he teleported. Gohan and Vegeta looked at each other and sighed.

They were preparing for bed by the time he returned, looking haggard and wearing a borrowed t-shirt. After flopping onto the couch, Goku told them what had happened.

"It was Goten," he began. "Chichi was pitching a fit about how he could never see me-us-again, and he ran away."

Gohan snorted. "Serves her right. Then what?"

"Well, she waited for him to come back, and when he didn't-"

"Good boy," the youth interjected. Vegeta elbowed him.

"She called Bulma," Goku continued, "who found him hiding under Trunks' bed." He grinned faintly. "Chichi went to get him, but he refused to go home under any circumstances, and Trunks went super-saiyan, and...."

"Good boy," Vegeta murmured as he trailed off. Gohan gave him an exasperated look.

Goku shrugged his broad shoulders, yawning. "To make a long story short, by the time I got there, things were a mess. Even Chichi was willing to let me talk to Goten. Well, maybe `willing' is too strong a word. Anyway, I finally got Goten to come out, after promising I wouldn't make him go home." His dark eyes flashed angrily. "Then she started yelling again, telling me to bring him out and say goodbye, and that it was all my fault, and...a lot of other stuff you don't want to hear. Goten started crying, and Bulma ordered her out of the house."

Three matching smirks crossed their faces at the thought.

"I knew the woman was good for something," the prince remarked.

Goku smiled at him before going on. "I talked to Goten for a while. He was really upset. I explained things as well as I could, but he just didn't understand why his mother was so angry at me. He finally said he would go home if she agreed to let him visit us as usual.

"So, once Chichi got home and calmed down, Bulma called her again and told her what he'd said, and she agreed to think about it as long as Goten stayed at Capsule Corps in the meantime. Then I had to sit with Goten and Trunks until they fell asleep. That's why I'm home so late," he added apologetically.

A slim hand squeezed his shoulder. "Well, hopefully Mom'll realize what a bitch she's being and get over herself," Gohan said cheerfully. "C'mon, Dad, let's go to bed."

Not looking forward to a lonely night after such a nerve-wracking day, Goku met his son's midnight eyes and was thankful to see that he meant they should all go together. He glanced at their mate, who nodded in approval.

Vegeta led them down the hall to the room he shared with Gohan, dropping pieces of his clothing along the way. He crawled immediately to the far side of the copious bed and proceeded to make himself comfortable. Yawning, Gohan began pulling off his own clothes, slowly and deliberately. Once nude, he let down his hair and started to follow Vegeta into bed when he saw Goku, hesitating with red cheeks.

"Does it really bother you, Dad?" he asked, blinking innocently. "I can throw on some pj's if you want."

"No, it's not that," his sire replied, hand behind his head as his blush deepened. "I-I just don't want you to be uncomfortable."

Smiling, Gohan turned back to him and began pulling up his t-shirt. Goku's eyes had gotten very big, but he obediently raised his arms. Gohan tossed aside the shirt, wondering absently whose it was, before moving deft fingers to the button of his father's jeans. Goku tensed slightly but still made no move to stop him. Both had to keep a close guard on their thoughts and a sharp reign on their bodies as the young demi-saiyan tugged down the zipper. Thus unfastened, Gohan slid his hands beneath the elastic of Goku's briefs, dropping to one knee as he pulled off both garments simultaneously, his fingertips in constant contact with smooth skin. He stalwartly resisted the urge to lick his lips as he looked upwards, past the dark thatch of hair and its contents. The strong musk tickled his nose, and it was all Gohan could do to keep his face innocent.

Staring down at his kneeling son, Goku swallowed hard, stepping out of his pants and holding out a hand to help Gohan up. The big warrior trembled, trying with all his might not to remember the taste of sweet cream.

Gohan's hand rested on his bare shoulder, giving him a little push toward the bed where the saiyan prince waited, smirking. Goku practically dove under the covers, embarrassed beyond belief but determined to be just as casual about it as his son. Turning off the lights, Gohan joined them, his slender form molding to his father's side. Vegeta mirrored him, and the feel of their bodies against his made Goku wish desperately that he hadn't laid on his back. Fortunately, it was too dark for the others to see the tent he was making in the sheets. Gohan and Vegeta rested their heads on his chest, making identical sounds of contentment as they drifted off. Staring at the dark ceiling, it was a long time before Goku could fall asleep.