Chapter Text
Gohan finds his mentor in a meditative state just below a tree, far from the loud bass reverberating from the Briefs Mansion.
He looks so naturalistic and fits right it with the garden landscape surrounding him.
Fireflies twinkle and blink, fluttering around the garden. They hide within the grass and then pop out, flitting about the lakeside.
Piccolo’s eyes are closed. His ears twitch as Gohan approaches.
It’s quiet for a while. The only sound being the chirping of crickets and the distant sound of the party.
Gohan shivers and hugs his arms. He’s not cold. He does nothing for what must be a minute; waiting to see if Piccolo will say anything.
There is no auditory response from the other- though the silence is not uncomfortable. Finally, Gohan sighs out a sound to psyche himself up and and speaks up as to make himself known.
“Thanks for coming to the party, Mister Piccolo!”
The floating man gives him a hum of acknowledgment. His arms are crossed. Gohan knows he’s listening, just that he needs to be warmed up to conversation just a bit.
“Thank you for inviting me, Gohan,” his response is straightforward- albeit in a rather quiet tone.
With that, Gohan approaches just a little closer. He looks so peaceful.
He studies the meditating man in front of him. Piccolo’s face is neutral in expression. He only twitches ever so slightly when Gohan shifts his weight or exhales audibly.
Before he can stop himself- he finds he’s inspecting the face of the other. Skin that is reflecting the deep indigo of the midnight sky is just faintly highlighted around the sharp edges of his cheeks and brow-bone by distant artificial lights. Supplementing this- Gohan is entranced by the blinking signals of fireflies; their biolights shine like whispers just faintly audible upon his visage.
Piccolo chooses this moment to open his eyes and fix his gaze onto Gohan.
He’s rather close and wonders for a moment just how close he can get. The thought startles him as he realizes how long he has been staring and he jumps away to a more socially acceptable distance with a start.
He doesn’t know what to say or do! He was definitely way too close to explain that away!
-Though it doesn’t seem as though he needs to because Piccolo is reacting no different than how he normally does.
He’s just staring with his usual open- though intense- expression
He feels the need to reach out- to grasp for his hand. Would that be okay? Gohan licks his lips subconsciously.
In front of him, Piccolo’s eyes open wider and he straightens his posture.
The weight of the air changes and this sets off Gohan, forcing him to make some action.
So he spouts out about his life and dreams.
“I’ll be going off to college in a few weeks.”
Piccolo is perked up; his eyes are shifting in understanding. He looks interested in what Gohan has to say.
“A-And, well- I’m excited!”
Gohan gets a slow blink in response. He is still floating in the air, legs crossed and hands poised in a meditative posture.
He lets his words sink in so as to get a grip on his runaway mind. His teacher surely only wants to hear the logistics of Gohan’s plans as a student.
That’s surely all there is to discuss between themselves, correct? He’s always been realistic with his goals about his studies. He’s known that he’s wanted to study- to learn- all his life!
When Piccolo continues his silent- albeit attentive, physical- responses, Gohan feels his voice is strong enough- nervous as well- when he states,
“I ... I finally feel that I’m one step closer to achieving what I always loved most in life-”
He gestures to Piccolo- with his palms facing up and arms wide. He blinks a couple times,
“To be a scholar!”
Gohan smiles; He’s known this his whole life- and now he’s so close!
The older man uncrosses his arms and his ears perk up. He is lowering himself to ground and with Piccolo standing up to his full height does Gohan realize that he hadn’t backed far away enough.
They're close.
Piccolo doesn’t move away nor any nearer. He’s looking at Gohan with an expression that is somewhat eerie in how genuinely soft it is.
He loses his sense of here and now as he is swept up and transported to another place and time. The last time he had seen such an expression was years ago. It had been after the fight with Majin Buu- when his father, Vegeta, and Mr. Satan had worked together to save the universe and everything in it.
Alongside all of humanity- he had breathed in life given back to him by the Dragon Balls. Piccolo, his brother Goten, and Goten’s best friend Trunks; they had also been brought from the dead. He had been so overjoyed and overwhelmed with how the afterlife would come to pass for them- only to find himself flesh and blood once again.
He remembers looking over to his teacher- only to be met with a similarly shocked expression on the face of Piccolo.
They had been gone, and were given a chance once again through a wish.
Back then- Piccolo had met his gaze with such intensity that it had shifted Gohan’s entire worldview. He had no words for the look they shared those two years ago. It had left a lasting mark on his heart. The many journeys they had shared in the past felt like they had culminated into that single moment. He thought that was the last time he would ever feel like that.
And yet- every time he felt his best friend’s Ki- that same feeling returned to his heart-
It was the same look he was being fixed with now that made his whole body stand to attention.
Once again being directed at him is that same Ki energy. It’s wishing for…for something that engulfs him in it’s warmth and guides him into taking a step right up to the man in front of him.
And with that does Piccolo startle. He makes a rather surprised expression.
Gohan can’t look away from the dark eyes fixing him to the spot where he stands. Though, he notices that the expression Piccolo is wearing is rapidly changing to something he’s never seen before.
Their shared space and it’s unspoken words; it feels to Gohan as if it does nothing to hide his Ki and how much it must give away to Piccolo. This is the first time since Buu that thinks he is at another crossroads and that he may make the wrong call and fail everyone in what is needed from him.
He doubts himself and thinks that he is seeing too far into this bond they share. Did he push too far?
A mentor to a student, one partner in battle to another, a friend of a friend- these are bonds that are only possible shared platonically, correct?
What does Piccolo wish for?
Gohan subconsciously extends his hand just a bit. He opens his mouth-
“Mister Piccolo?”
Something shifts in Piccolo’s eyes and they cloud over with an expression Gohan hasn’t seen in a very long time. He suddenly looks so alien and so… so distant.
“I’m happy for you, Gohan,” comes the reply, words just barely above a whisper.
His throat feels stuck with unsaid words and he’s sure that he’s doing something wrong.
“I wish you well with your studies.”
The words are genuine, but the inflection in which they are said is what throws Gohan off.
They are final.
The sound of crickets dull for a moment. Likewise- the music from the party has conveniently stopped. The silence that follows does nothing to ward off his quickly mounting tension.
Piccolo tips his head down- eyes closing. Gohan thinks his expression looks in pain; mirroring his face during one of the long drawn out fights against that of their shared enemies of the past.
It has been years since he has presented himself so coldly.
He’s backing away from Gohan then and surprises them both by bumping his back into the trunk of the tree in which he had sought refuge under. This display of flight halts the younger in his tracks. Gohan looks down at his hands; his claws are flexing and gripping into the banded portion of his bicep. If Gohan were to reach out- he could feel for his hand and hold it within his own. His heart gives a sudden flutter and his fingers twitch- wanting to be somewhere else-; wishing to be laced together with those of the man in front of him.
He wants to ask- to please tell me what is going on with us?
He can’t simply express how he feels- can he? There's just no way that Piccolo feels the same. He’s got to say something!
Ki energy flares from Piccolo and he opens his eyes. When he meets eyes with Gohan- his expression still retains it’s icy demeanor. His mouth flashes teeth as he speaks,
“Listen kid, I think they’ll be missing you at the party. How about you head back?”
Gohan pauses and really absorbs that look he’s now being fixed with. Just a second ago- it was warm- so inviting.
He closes his eyes. Now, it’s like he’s been transported back to where they had first met.
All the memories come flooding back.
How could he forget those first nights spent cold and exhausted from a day where his innocence was taken? What of the dangerous wildlife coexisting with the fear of enormous jaws waiting to devour him alive? The terrorized atmosphere of tension of what the future would rain down upon the Earth with the arrival of the Saiyans. And amplifying it; the knowledge that if he ran, there may be no hope left for the Earth.
He sighs out and lets his shoulders relax while a smile returns to his face.
Thankfully, he remembers the vivid moments spent exploring the jungles and oceans during that year. He was free from the mundane tasks of civilized life- instead allowed to explore and learn about the world around him naturalistically. He recalls fondly the smell of sweet flowers and the sound of birdsong waking him up to each new day. What of the peaceful nights spent with a full belly and a fire to keep him warm from within the safe confines of his cave? How could he forget of the weight of his sword and all the power bestowed upon him so that he may one day wield it in the wish of protecting the lives of those he loves?
Most of all, Gohan remembers the feeling of the Ki who had given him this power- always watching over him from high in the sky.
Here with Piccolo; he doesn’t have to remember. His eyes are blinking open and Gohan gingerly looks up at his friend.
The man in front of him- his demeanor opens up for one moment. Though, just as quickly he guards himself again with narrowed eyes.
“Gohan.”
He feels his body tremble.
Next, Piccolo asks with a twinge of confusion in his voice,
“I’m sure you’ll be busy with your studies coming up soon, yes?”
Piccolo hesitates for a moment, furrowing his brow-ridge. Finally, he continues,
“Be sure to come and visit the Lookout when you have time.”
The most faint of smiles comes to Piccolo’s face, and this in turn makes Gohan smile heartfelt in return.