Gohan x Piccolo Apples

Chapter 3: C'mon

Gohan couldn't believe he was thinking this, but thank Kami his mom made him study so hard. His mind just would not stay in one place making his concentration on schoolwork impossible, not that he hadn't expected as much, but at least he knew what the teacher's were mumbling on about already so it wasn't like he was missing anything. Piccolo was always on his mind now, as he ate, as he studied, showered, trained and slept, but the worst thing was actually due to his avoidance of the Namek for just over a month as there was a much simpler pain crawling around inside of himself, he missed Piccolo dearly. Life just wasn't fair sometimes.He missed how Piccolo would give him a smile at his arrival; it would be small, kind and private. Piccolo's affection as always like that, and Gohan revelled in it, being the only one Piccolo softened his hard exterior for, never a lot but he did let it happen none the less. During training, though Gohan was stronger, Piccolo's use of strategy, skill and telepathy often let him get the better of the teen and every time it amazed Gohan at the warrior prowess of is Namekian friend. And Piccolo always did so with grace, even when there was panting and grappling, getting to the grit of fighting and beating out for the win, Piccolo did so with an ethereal quality unlike any of the other z senshi. Gohan thought it was almost as though Piccolo was dancing, if he ever said such a thing out loud Piccolo would probably punch him in the gut, but that didn't make it any less true. Gohan also wanted to feel Piccolo's energy again, he could sense Piccolo's ki if he tried but not in the same detail as being next to the man, to feel the radiating waves of the Super Namek over his skin and soul, the focused and disciplined power, though lower in size than Gohan's he was trained in ways Gohan couldn't even dream of.Then there was Piccolo's voice, oh Kami, Piccolo's voice! That had been one of Gohan's main reasons for not seeing Piccolo lately, and that was also how Gohan came to realise how little Piccolo knew about sex and such things. After training normally Gohan would share his thoughts and talk of his school work and family, the words would flow easily just excited to share as much as possible with his friend who, though a man of few words, listened with a generosity. But as Gohan's feelings grew, that low gruff tremor would tempt the demi-saiyajin's eyes to look over Piccolo's elegant throat and his untouched lips, words spoken with thought yet with a coolness to make Gohan melt. The number of erections Gohan had hidden quickly by placing on a coat or curling his body to not expose himself to his friend, Piccolo would ask him if he was okay or why he was acting weird on occasion but he never showed any inkling of knowledge on Gohan's actions, mostly it was due to Piccolo's eyes at those times, Piccolo was always a little guarded but it didn't hide the innocence, how they were simple and not shrewd questions, that his inquiries were not layered.Gohan's blushing was very difficult to hide, even harder to control, and this had proved problematic when Piccolo asked if Gohan was feeling well, then specifically asked if he had a fever, if he was feeling hot, and did he want to lie down? Safe to say to an erotically charged teen such questions only made the red over his cheeks darken even more dangerously and his mind race with fantasies, and the more it happened the more Piccolo had to ask. Gohan had almost felt himself moan the time Piccolo's soft elegant hand moved to Gohan's forehead, obviously sick of asking the same questions over and over again, his cool skin contrasting to his flushed brow and Piccolo's eyes searching his with a hint of concern that would be missed by anyone else making Gohan's heart flutter, green lips in a small pout he often sported, if Gohan's nerves weren't completely fried he may have confessed his feelings right there on the spot, but when Piccolo said 'you feel a bit warm' Gohan had to suppress the noise in his throat at being so close under the attention of his beloved and being verbally massaged over his skin and ears the moment the Namekian's caring tone reached them.Gohan felt the tickling of another blush, like fingertips moving electric sparks over his cheeks, ears and neck, and fought to oppress the oncoming heat, his mind having wandered for the millionth time that day when a completely different voice cut through Gohan's reverie; the voice female, pitched and sturdy."Hey, you comin' or what?" asked Videl, snapping Gohan from his inner thoughts, looking up he noticed others were filing out of the room and class was over and it was lunch break, Videl's eyes looking at him with stretched patience past her thick black hair, a look he was not a stranger to as this wasn't the first time she's seen that surprised face of his, Sharpener and Erasa were also watching him though not nearly as intensely. Blinking, Gohan moved his gaze down and nodded sheepishly before quickly packing away his text books and stationary. Videl just gave a small grunt as the four then left the classroom together heading towards the lunch hall amongst the busy corridors.Lunch passed almost without incident, he had been so close, so damned close to not fucking up. Gohan had been found daydreaming, yet again, it was minutes until lunch would end but that didn't hinder what was coming. "Gohan, what's wrong with you lately?" asked Videl with strength in her voice, her eyes to match."Yeah, you've been totally out of it, all dreamy eyed and distracted" giggled Erasa before sipping her soda playfully."Oh is that what it is?" chimed Sharpener with a grin and raised eyebrows, Gohan dreaded to think what was going through the blonde male's mind but even more what words he might voice about them "Dude, we all know you like Videl, when are you two just going to hook up already?" Sharpener sniggered triumphantly.Gohan felt dismay wash over his entire being, it was no secret he and Videl were close, and Gohan was aware of her growing feelings, but of course, his 'interest' in her was purely platonic and his heart was Piccolo's, whether he knew of it or not. The teen looked into Videl's face which conveyed that she too was waiting for an answer, three pairs of eager eyes on him now that his feelings were put in the spotlight."Well?" asked, of all people, Videl. She always was a blunt one and she wasn't the type to beat around the bush, she was beautiful in her own way for that, but she was meant to be someone else's love. Now Gohan felt really under pressure, he had to let her down gently, she was tough and they were friends before all else...right?Trying to speak all that followed was a soft "sorry, Videl. But..." which was interrupted shortly by Videl's surprised reaction."'Sorry?'" she repeated, her mind racing to find some scrap of explination over why Gohan would need to apologise to her, he liked her, didn't he? She certainly felt romantically for him, although they were mainly friends, maybe that was all he felt for her. But then what was the reason for his odd behaviour? "why are you..."Gohan could see the shocked faces of both the blondes with wide eyes and raised eyebrows; they must have been so certain Videl was the object of Gohan's affections. Without another word Gohan stood from his seat and took hold of Videl's wrist, she complied to follow him, much to his relief, as he lead her silently out of the cafeteria, feeling her eyes on his back as they walked, the air between them not awkward but still very thick, the only noise being the patter of their footsteps. Luckily, despite the distance, their nerves made time move quickly as they finally reached their destination.Opening the door Gohan and Videl stepped out onto the roof, slight chill nipping at their faces and arms as the breeze ran through their hair and caressed their clothes, and he let go of her wrist slowly and they stood facing each other as the door shut behind them still unlocked. Her face expressing confusion and wariness, she was no longer as fierce in her features, now she was mainly concerned for her friend and crush, he sure was acting strange lately and his answer to Sharpener's words worried her more, an apology? What could that mean?"So..?" asked Videl softly, her lips pressed contrastingly tight together as she waited, searching Gohan's eyes for answers but she saw a sadness but conviction at the same time and she only hoped things were okay.The demi-saiyajin looked at his friend and took in a deep breath, steeling himself to tell her what needed to be said, and thought through his words slowly and to his relief his voice didn't shake "I'm really sorry Videl" he let out a breath and straightened his back and squared his shoulders, to explain he wasn't going to shrink he was going to stand, she deserved that much.Her eyes continued to search his but her need to hear his reasons stopped her from speaking, holding her tongue she waited for him to continue, "Videl, I know you have feelings for me, and while that means a lot, I mean I'm flattered, and...you're so nice and you care so much and..." Gohan felt his words fumbling ever each other as his nerves began to make themselves known, but he corrected himself as best he could, so with a calculated intake of breath he continued "what I'm trying to say is, is that I do really care about you and that I think you're wonderful, you mean so much to me...but you're my friend, and I'm sorry because I know you want more and I don't want to hurt you, that's the last thing I want to do..."Videl's eyes were soft then, accepting of his declaration but still not fully in understanding, so she waited still, Gohan offered a small smile as he said this, more to steady his own nerves than anything else as he knew she still needed a reason for why he felt as he did "I know this sounds cliché, but it's not you, it's me...I really do think you're a great person, and..." Gohan gave a genuine glowing smile, it just grew naturally as he said this to her "...and I do love you..." he said softly and honestly, Videl's air about her changed and she wasn't just patient, but accepting, her chest fluttered despite his rejection, "I do, just not romantically," he continued "I don't think of any women that way..." it was then Videl's attention seemed to snap up, Gohan loved her, she knew they were close and she loved him too, and her soul beamed to know that even if they weren't ever going to be a couple that at least their friendship was one to last, and when Gohan said that he wasn't attracted to women, well safe to say that was a shock, so did that mean..?"...I'm sure you've figured it out" Gohan said softly, a nervous smile over his lips "I'm gay, I'm so sorry I didn't say something earlier Videl, it just took me long enough to figure it out for myself, I know you're probably angry with me an-" in one swift moment Gohan suddenly had two slim but muscular arms wrapped around his torso and a face buried in his chest, Videl having embraced him in a hug, thick black hair tickling his collarbone and fingertips pressed into his back, looking down as she turned her face up to look at him she was smiling."I'm not mad at you," she started, her grip tightening slightly and her smile growing as she felt her crush relax in her arms "I love you too, and I'm perfectly happy to just be friends, Gohan," she spoke and he believed her, a warmth between them that was just theirs, "I have to say though that was quite the surprise" she gave out a small laugh understandably, "we'll be just fine" she almost hummed and she gave him a final squeeze, patting him lightly on the back and let go.Gohan was so relieved, he knew he could count on her, she probably felt a bit bruised though despite how well she was hiding it, but really that couldn't have gone better; the two stepped in the direction of the roof door when Videl asked a question he hadn't been expecting "What's his name?""What?" Gohan squeaked, so much for being manly, how did she...?Videl just smirked and held the laugh that wanted to come out "even if you're not attracted to me it's obvious you want someone, all those blushes and daydreams haven't gone unnoticed, y'know...?" she said in a cocky tone, enjoying the teasing she was able to place on her closest friend.He should have known, Videl was one smart cookie and he could only smile but found himself pausng, what to say? He couldn't just say 'I'm in love with Piccolo Daimao, you know, the green alien demon guy that was evil for a while but now he's not?' safe to say he didn't see that as going down easily no matter how accepting she was. So he said the next best thing."He's not someone you know, he's not a student...he...he's my best friend, I've known him since I was a kid and...""You seem scared..." she interrupted, eyes kind "don't worry Gohan you're a great guy, whoever he is he sure is lucky" she said with a grin and at that moment she stepped up to him in one stride and onto her tiptoes cutely and then gave him a peck on the cheek "how can he resist?" she chirped.Gohan felt as though his emotions were a boxed jigsaw puzzle and she had just shaken it around like a maraca, if only life was so simple, maybe it was when it all came down to it...really, what were the chances of Piccolo saying yes? Or no? Gohan just laughed gently, and brought a hand behind his head in a habit adopted from his father and, for the first time in a while, he felt just a little, just a little, stress relieved.Videl opened the roof door and turned to her chuckling friend "class is going to start soon, lunch is going to end any second and we left our stuff in the cafeteria, so c'mon you big lug" both friends just smiled at each other than and did just that. Maybe things really could work Piccolo descended from his position above the lookout, clothed feet touched down over the white floors without a noise, his flawless grace about him as always as he walked to the edge of the lookout, standing to the side of Dende whom had a small look of frustration over his features. The young Guardian of Earth had grown as well, not as tall or masculine as Gohan but certainly not a child anymore and bulk was not expected of a healer, he wasn't a fighter. The Guardian's eye allowing him to observe Earth's people to an extent and to feel the world's flow and movement, something was definitely troubling him as the Namekian's brow furrowed deeper.Having fused with Kami, the ability to see as a Guardian, though not as sharp as Dende's, was not lost on Piccolo, dark eyes peering into the word below and feeling the wash of the world's life and bearings, and his meditation had been interrupted by a sinking feeling in the back of his mind, a sensation that something was wrong but unreachable. So as Piccolo looked down over the side of the lookout, he peered into the distance as though a map under a magnifying glass, moving swiftly and without direction.He could see nothing which screamed or even hinted to being the source of such a feeling, but instinct told both Nameks something was lurking and clinging to the shadows, something bad. Casting a glance to the guardian in a silent question, Dende's eyes met Piccolo's and he spoke in his usual gentle manor "I can't see anything either, but I will keep an eye out, whatever it is will show itself eventually...I just hope we can find it before it becomes a problem."Piccolo just nodded and turned away as silently as he came, he wished he could figure out more, facing an enemy or hardship he could handle, but waiting and not knowing made him uneasy and he didn't like that one bit.Almost as proof of his restlessness, Piccolo knew he couldn't meditate right then, unable to clear his mind while that unknown darkness clawed inside of his head, however faint it was it was there, Piccolo knew he wouldn't get all he could from forcing himself to meditate so he headed to one of the lower layers of the lookout, helping him shut out the world around him even if it was only slightly. The colourful walls and plentiful patterns decorated Piccolo's walk to a specific chamber, having Kami's memories he had found living at the lookout, while quiet, to be quite helpful to his training, that was one of the main reasons he stayed, as he knew the floating palace was basically a haven for the otherworldy and strange.Piccolo had found a room similar to Capsule Corps gravity chamber very useful, the area adjusted to whomever was in the room and specifically to their power, creating just enough pull in the gravity that no matter how much one trained the pull would only increase with the individual and stress the muscles no matter what. Approaching the room, Piccolo extended one hand to turn the bejewelled handle and opened the door smoothly to reveal a shadowed room, large in size and with a fiery glow about the place despite there being no distinguishable source of light, reds and pinks seemed to dance with the darkness across walls in a heated waltz, the floor and ceiling seeming to move to a violently passionate rhythm.Stepping into the room where he barely cast his own silhouette, the flame like glow licking at the shapes and never relenting its meal, Piccolo felt no strain as the gravity would only change once the door was closed, he removed his turban and cape tossing them to the ground with a practiced throw, feeling his muscles almost sigh at being without the weights. Time for a little pain, he thought as he began concentrating his ki to execute the splitform technique, charging his energy to every inch of himself, feeling the balance within his extremities, each finger tingling with sparks and his antennae and ears tickling under the sensation, his organs and flesh feeling streams and currents run through them until he could begin the next stage. With energy throughout all his cells, ready to duplicate on command, Piccolo then forced his body past that line which took his senses from full and entertained to stretched and tearing, vision a mix of his surroundings and black spots in the few seconds it took for the technique to commence, as if all his atoms were being ripped apart and counted in his mind at the same time, the pain was everywhere and powerful from the tips of his ears to his now curling toes.Tearing his shirt as a second form suddenly burst partially from Piccolo's back, a wetness trickling over his skin and a coolness contrasting with his body making him shiver, the gi top being pulled and ripped apart as the separation took place, muscles screaming and bones grating in the final moments of the technique until complete and another body moved into a standing position both with heavy breathing. By the time Piccolo looked to his side he saw a puff of smoke and the clone was dressed in a full gi and using a small amount of ki Piccolo replaced his own as well.The two looked at each other and stepped away in a couple of long strides before taking a fighting stance, as good as meditating was, training this way kept Piccolo's nerves and moves sharp and in practice, and it was then a green hand was extended towards the door and manipulating his ki the door closed with a heavy catch, and suddenly there was a great heat over both bodies, making them feel the shift in their weights as if the slightest imbalance would send them tumbling, sweat beginning to form on their brows and even lifting their arms made their flesh sting with a tension, a low hum seemed to run through their veins at the pressure. Staring eye to eye, forms posed to attack and defend when necessary and with a synchronised grace the two forms shifted in an instant into a collision. The crimsons of the room complimenting their chiselled bodies as punches and kicks flew, the focus of fighting helping to take Piccolo's mind from the dark feeling from before, though it never truly left him. Oh well, best to train so he is prepared for whatever may rise to attention soon, to be at his best, be sharp and ready, no matter what, to protect this world.A/N: Please review? and for those who enjoy teasers, next chapter had Vegeta, and might shed a little light on why Gohan feels the urge to bite ^^. Also, I know Gohan in this chapter mentioned 'not fucking up' which doesn't sound much like him but swearing is as much a part of language as anything else (except Twilight, that doesnt count as literature) and personally I find it expresses the character's feelings well so long as the use of swearing is choice and I'm just letting my readers know there will be more like that but rarely.

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