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[cressasdbfanfics]

A New Start

Pairing: GoChi

Word Count: 1274

Prompt: story request from a friend.

Summary: Goku and Chichi are now empty nesters. That big life change along with it being a big birthday for Chichi has left her feeling a little down in the dumps. Goku tries to cheer her up.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/48087631

FFN: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14247623/1/A-New-Start

Dressed in a white long-sleeved shirt and stiff dark grey pants, and dark red bow tie, I twiddled my thumbs where I stood in our living room waiting for Chichi. She fussed and fussed over herself in the upstairs bathroom. Occasionally, I heard an annoyed "Oh!" so things didn't seem to be going well for her. I had been ready to go for over an hour.

I braved approaching the half-open bathroom door and knocked. "Uh, honey? You okay in there?"

The door snapped closed in my face before I glimpsed Chichi, half-dressed and a makeup brush in hand, the displaced air whooshing around me. "I'm fine," was her short, somewhat muffled reply.

I grimaced. When Chichi said it like that, she usually was not fine. Quiet sniffles floated out through the closed bathroom door. I frowned. I raised a fist but thought better of knocking again—didn't want to make her angry. Chichi needed to enjoy our evening since it was her birthday—a big birthday at that. She had been a little out of sorts since Goten, our youngest son, moved out to start his own life and needed something to cheer her up. I suggested a picnic because she always liked those. Getting ready to go seemed to upset her even more. I sighed.

With nothing else to do but wait for her, I wandered the living room and paused in front of a wood-framed mirror hung on the wall in the entryway. Had to make sure my clothes were wrinkle-free and my tie was on straight. Otherwise, Chichi would fuss over me and then we'd never make it out the door. My clothes were in order so I leaned against the entryway wall and waited for Chichi. It was a long wait before a door upstairs finally creaked open and Chichi practically floated down the spiral staircase.

Her sleeveless, curve-hugging deep red dress flowed gently around her ankles with every step. A high slit flashed her strong legs and she had even let her hair down for the night. It tumbled around her shoulders in loose curls. I tugged at my too-tight shirt collar as Chichi left the last step and tried to make words come out to tell her how beautiful she was.

Chichi fidgeted with the strap of her black purse slung across her body. "Oh, I just knew I'm too old to dress like this." When her eyes welled up and she turned her back on me, my heart sank. "What was I—?"

When she took a step toward the stairs, I grabbed her hand, gently spun her around, and hugged her against me. I glimpsed wide eyes as I leaned down and kissed her. Our lips connected. She melted into me with a happy little sigh. I let my hands slide down the back of her dress and Chichi pulled back, eyes narrowed and an eyebrow lifted. At least she wasn't upset anymore.

I gave her my best, most innocent smile.

Chichi flicked my bow tie. "If you start that, then we'll really never leave."

I chuckled and grabbed the car keys off the key rack along with the large picnic basket Chichi packed earlier that day. Chichi grabbed our old picnic blanket and led the way to the car. I couldn't take my eyes off her. Her dark-red dress hugged her hips and flowed over her skin as she walked. It was even harder to stay focused on driving with her dress's high slit showing so much smooth skin. It really didn't help when she let her dress slip over her leg, showing even more skin. That was no accident.

"You stay focused on the drive," said Chichi.

I swallowed.

We finally reached the old giant apple tree after a bumpy drive even in our aircar and putting some fresh scratches in the paint squeezing past some trees. Flying would have been smoother and faster but Chichi liked being driven and I wanted to make her happy. I put the car in park a little-ways from the tree and cut the engine.

"We haven't been here in a while with Goten moving out and all," said Chichi, leaned forward in her seat and gazing up at the tree.

I nodded as I leaned over the steering wheel. The big old apple tree was as big as it ever was. "Yeah, no kidding."

A few overripe apples littered the grassy ground around it. More shiny red apples hung from its branches far overhead. The apples that old tree grew were always the sweetest apples around. The hole Gohan blew through the trunk when he was a baby had long since healed over and only a rough, bubbled-out scar remained. I chuckled at the memory.

"That wasn't so funny then," said Chichi despite her smile as she gazed up at the tree, too. She lightly punched my arm. "We're fortunate Gohan took after you."

A warm feeling blossomed across my cheeks.

We unpacked the car and smoothed out the cream-colored picnic blanket on a flat spot in-between the tree's roots poking out through the grassy ground. Chichi lowered herself to her knees and pulled out plates, bowls, silverware, and, finally, the food out of our basket.

My stomach growled. "Can we eat now?"

Chichi shook her head but her eyes lit up with her giggle. "Same old Goku. Just a second." She arranged a few old-fashioned lanterns around the blanket in between serving dishes. "Light those, please."

Chichi made each of us a plate as I lit the lanterns' wicks with a few tiny sparks of ki.

–+–

I rubbed my too-full stomach as Chichi cleared the dishes. "That was great, babe! You really outdid yourself with this one!"

Chichi glanced at me and giggled. "You say that every time."

I laughed and flopped down backwards on the blanket, my fingers laced under my head. Patches of orange, pink, and gold shown through the apple tree's dense branches. Chichi settled next to me, her head on my shoulder. She hummed and snuggled into me. I pressed a little kiss on her forehead. We rested together until the sunset's colors faded into darkness and the stars came out. The full moon rose over Mt Paozu's pillar-like mountains. I yawned.

"Oh, you're not going to sleep yet," said Chichi as she stood up. She bent over me, her hands on her hips. "I need to work this off and you're going to help me."

I blinked, rubbed my eyes, and sat up. "Uh, help you? What do you—?"

I yelped when Chichi grabbed my arm and yanked me to my feet like I weighed nothing to her. I forgot just how strong she was sometimes. Maintaining a grip on my wrist, she marched me off the blanket. I stumbled after her in the fading sunlight, still with no idea what she had planned.

"Stay here," she said as she pointed to my feet.

Chichi continued several paces ahead. When she stopped and flicked her delicate silver sandals off her feet, I had a pretty good idea what she wanted. I kicked my shoes off and tossed them aside with my socks as she settled into a ready stance. The little smirk on her face made my heart hammer in my chest. I got into a stance, too.

Chichi moved first, charged me, the wind pulling her hair wildly along behind her. The fierceness in her eyes made my mouth go dry. I ducked her right hook. Unperturbed, Chichi planted one foot on the ground and threw her weight into a kick. Her bare foot connected with my forearm with a satisfying smack. My forearm actually stung. She was incredible!

I couldn't help my wide grin as we dodged, countered, and defended against each other's hits while Chichi's fierce glare only deepened. Before long, I was laughing. Chichi's already flushed face turned beat red. She growled as she put all her momentum into another strong kick aimed for my gut. I sprang backward a couple paces.

My turn. I charged her. Her eyes widened for a millisecond before she dodged my attempt to take her down. In twisting out of the way and just beyond my grasp, that put her back to me.

"Big mistake, babe," I said.

I lunged for her again but she was ready. Her small but strong hands grabbed my forearm and yanked hard as she bent double. I flew head over heels and landed with an "Umph" on the grass.

I stared up at her as she crossed her arms and smirked down at me.

"Did you really just flip me?" I said through a chuckle. When Chichi closed her eyes and nodded, I took my move. With the help of a little ki, I sprang to my feet, swept her legs out from under her, cushioned her landing, and had her pinned to the grass by her wrists far faster than she could react. "You let your guard down."

Chichi blinked up at me. The light of the full moon shining down caught her eyes and made them sparkle. I brushed some stray hair out of her face. I married one strong, amazing woman.

"So, how did it feel to be flipped by an old lady?" asked Chichi with a mischievous little smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

I lifted an eyebrow. "Old lady? Old ladies can't fight like you just did."

Chichi's eyes lit up with her light laugh. "I guess you're right about that."

"You were incredible, babe!" I said, grinning again at her ferocity.

A little pink spread across Chichi's cheeks as she turned away. I hooked a finger around her chin and turned her face toward me. I couldn't resist that sparkle in her eyes. On instinct, I kissed her, earning a contented little hum. With the night cooling off, we decided to pack up the aftermath of our picnic and went home. Chichi hummed through doing the dishes and putting away the picnic supplies. Her light came back to her. With both of our boys out of the house and no threats looming over the Earth, we had time to focus on each other.

[cressasdbfanfics]

Home

Pairing: GoChi

Word Count: 1274

Prompt: none, other than picturing how their first night together in years would go

Summary: Goku and Chichi finally have a quiet moment alone together after the war against Majin Buu. His pov.

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/47134291

FFN: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14230655/1/Home

"You mean we can be a family of four in our little house?"

Chichi's eyes shined when I told her, Gohan, Goten, and all of our friends I was alive again after the fight against Majin Buu. Well, she mostly just cried but she did smile at me. She seemed fine when we got home where I was greeted with the most incredible feast I had ever seen and a banner stretched over the kitchen entrance welcoming me home in her neat handwriting. She cleaned up after our amazing dinner without so much as a glance my way. Our exhausted boys had called it an early night soon after they were done eating. They were sound asleep in their beds, leaving me alone with Chichi.

Leaned against the kitchen doorframe, I watched her. I caught little glimpses of Chichi's face reflected in the kitchen window. Something glinted in the corners of her eyes and I grimaced. At least I thought she wanted me home. I was only half joking when I said ifshe wanted me. Maybe I was sleeping on the couch that night. I rubbed the back of my neck. I knew I was gone for a while but what if I was gone too long? Maybe she changed her mind. Maybe she decided she had—

Chichi slapped her wet washrag on the counter, ripped off her apron, and stomped over to me. A hand came up to grab my shirt collar and yank me down to her eye level. When she pressed her soft lips against mine, my breath caught in my throat. Heat spread across my cheeks. Fire burned behind the tears in her big dark eyes when she pulled back. She definitely wasn't happy with me.

I swallowed hard—if just to give me a chance to come up with something to say. "Uh, Ch-Chichi, honey—"

She cut me off with another kiss, that one deeper, longer, and more needy—one that made us both melt into each other. When we came up for air, we were both more than a little breathless. The tears in her eyes were hard enough to see. What was worse was the pain that replaced her earlier fire—pain that I caused. I cupped her cheeks and wiped her tears away. When her eyes fluttered closed, I touched my lips to hers again. Chichi's arms wrapped around my neck and her fingers tangled in my hair. I undid the clip holding her hair in her usual tight bun and let her soft hair fall free. Her silky hair slid through my fingers as my hands wandered down her back to stop just below her butt. In one fluid motion, I lifted her off her feet, earning a gasp and a small giggle and pinned her against me. Her legs wound tight around my waist as we made out like love-struck teenagers.

Chichi pulled back long enough to breathlessly say, "Bed. Now."

Use of powers in the house was never something Chichi was fond of but maybe she wouldn't notice just that one time. I floated off the kitchen floor a few inches and got us to our dark bedroom in a flash. When Chichi eyed me with an eyebrow lifted, I smiled.

Her pretty eyes softened. "Oh, what am I going to do with you?"

"Heh, keep me?"

Chichi answered with her warm lips on mine.

I staggered blindly to our bed and collapsed with her on our soft mattress—careful to catch my weight so I didn't squish her. Hands tickled my sides as she worked to pull my undershirt free of my pants and over my head. She threw my undershirt to the floor. Her quipao went next, followed by my tattered organge gi pants. Bare skin against bare skin, I kissed along her jawline and down her neck, stopping to suck gently on a specific spot right where her neck met her collarbone that always made her squirm. Chichi turned her head away, giving me better access.

Propped on one elbow, I kneaded one of her breasts with just the right amount of pressure while I sucked on that special spot at the base of her neck. She shuddered when I lightly pinched the soft pink bud. "N-need you," Chichi said, followed by a breathy moan.

I nibbled on the delicate skin of her chest and up her jawline before landing on her lips. When the tip of my cock made contact with her slick warmth, I pushed inside of her. I groaned even as Chichi whimpered my name. I threw my head back as I withdrew almost all the way and pushed myself back into her again as far as I could go. I had about forgotten how good sex felt during my time in Other World. I had to be so careful with her. I was so much stronger than before. One wrong move and I could have hurt her. Chichi had nothing but pleasure written across her face.

Chichi writhed beneath me as we moved together, with her lower lip pulled up in her teeth and eyes squeezed shut. Small, muffled sounds escaped her mouth. With her long, dark hair fanned over the mattress and shimmering in the full moon's light streaming in through our bedroom window, and skin still so soft, Chichi was so beautiful, it was heartbreaking. She was so strong. I made things hard for her sometimes. All those years I was gone, she could have moved on, could have married another guy, but she didn't. I had no idea what I did to deserve her. I was the luckiest guy in the world. My chest constricted. I gritted my teeth as my whole body tensed.

The small whimpers Chichi made turned into louder, deeper moans that she muffled with her hand. Almost there. I was glad she was close. Lost in the consuming sensation as I dove into her again and again, I couldn't last much longer. Pressure built inside me. I buried my face in the hollow of her shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent of her sweet-smelling lavender shampoo and snaked an arm between her waist and the bed, pressing my hand into her perfectly shaped butt.

A few more fast, deep thrusts and she gasped my name into her hand, the fingernails of her other hand digging into the skin on my back. Seeing her like that and hearing the sounds she made was enough to shove me over the edge after her. At my burst of pleasure, I saw stars and cried out her name into the crook of her neck before I all but collapsed on top of her. Weird tightness in my chest made it hard to catch my breath. My eyes burned.

Chichi scratched at my scalp and kissed the side of my head. I lifted my face from the small hollow of her neck and frowned slightly at the fresh tears in her eyes—did I hurt her? No, the sparkle in her eyes and her soft smile told me those were good, happy tears. She really forgave me, just like that! Chichi reached up and brushed her thumb across my cheek and I glimpsed water on her fingertips. We stayed connected, exchanging little touches and kisses, until neither of us could keep our eyes open. I felt whole, alive. I couldn't fathom having to go back to Other World after a night like that. Good thing I didn't have to. Nothing beat holding her like this. Nothing beat being home.

[cressasdbfanfics]

Something New

Pairing: GoChi

Word Count: 424

Prompt: GoChi week, Day 5. Sweet Name that Made My Heart

Summary: Goku is equal parts mystified and fascinated by this woman he married. He has no idea what he got himself into. All he knows is her smile makes his heart flutter.

https://archiveofourown.org/works/41751189

Quiet humming drifted out through the open kitchen window along with clinking dishes and a running faucet.  Humming as she cleaned was one of Chichi’s little daily habits, like brushing her hair every night before bed.  

“Hi, Goku,” said Chichi through the open kitchen window when she glanced up.  “You’re home early.”

My heart sped up at her little smile.  The way she said my name made my heart do weird stuff, too.  I kicked off my muddy weighted training boots outside because Chichi liked that—she always kept our house neat and clean.  I leaned bo staff against the outside wall next to the backdoor and went inside.  Chichi stood with her back to me, her hair let down.  

Chichi pulled off her dishwashing gloves and draped them over the center of the empty, shiny porcelain sink and turned toward me.  “You hungry?  It’s too early to start dinner but I could make you a snack.”

When I shook my head, Chichi blinked once and crossed her arms.  She lifted an eyebrow.  “You’re not getting sick, I hope.”

I shook my head again.  “Heh, nah, I’m fine.”

Chichi nodded slowly.  “Well, okay.”

She turned and opened the cabinet under the sink.  Chichi withdrew a feather duster and walked around me.  I caught a whiff of the shampoo she liked that reminded me of the wildflowers growing in a field by our house.  She smelled nice.  She always smelled nice.  I couldn’t help but smile at her happy humming while she dusted the few pictures and decorations around our house.  Her hands went to her hips when she looked my way.  

A slight frown as she moved in really close and then her hands were on my face, “Are you sure you’re feeling okay?”

I swallowed and nodded.  Her frown softened.  There was that sparkle in her eyes she sometimes looked at me with.  I rubbed the back of my neck as a strange feeling of heat spread across my cheeks.  Chichi blinked and something flashed through her eyes.  She grinned so bright my heart missed a beat.  A high-pitched giggle and then she flitted around the house, dusting with a pep in her step.  I lifted an eyebrow.  There was so much about this marriage thing I didn’t know.  I liked that I made Chichi happy even though I didn’t know what I did—or why my heart did weird stuff around her, for that matter.  All I knew was that I liked being around her.  Maybe someday, I’d find out what that all meant.  

[cressasdbfanfics]

Over the Waves

Pairing: GoChi

Word count: 1627

Summary: Over the WavesChichi just isn't her self when her sons leave for the day during the summer vacation from school and has a surprising request for Goku.

Prompt: For @gochiweek​, prompt #4

https://archiveofourown.org/works/41751120

“Bye, mom!  Bye, dad!” said Gohan as he ran out the backdoor.  

“Have a good day!” Chichi called after him as I yelled my goodbye from the kitchen table.

Through the open kitchen window above the kitchen sink, I glimpsed him kick into the air and rocket far out of sight in a matter of moments to go spend the hot summer day in Satan City with Videl.  

Goten walked into the kitchen, dressed in a powder-blue rash-guard and bright red swim shorts.  He had a red backpack slung over one shoulder with supplies for a day of swimming and a sleepover with Trunks at Capsule Corp.  Chichi packed it for him earlier that morning.

She ran her fingers through his thick hair that looked just like mine.  “Have fun with Trunks!  And be sure to go to bed at a reasonable time.”

Goten nodded.  “Yes, mommy, I will!”

“Bye, Goten!” Chichi and I said in unison.  

With that, he ran out the backdoor, too, and flew off toward Capsule Corp.

Chichi tossed the dishtowel she had used to dry our breakfast dishes on the counter and sighed as she stared outside.  There was an uncharacteristic slump in her shoulders.  

I got up from the table and went to her.  I rubbed her back.  “You okay, babe?”

Another sigh, a nod, and, “Yeah.  I’m fine.”

That wasn’t very convincing.  Chichi always got a little mopey when the boys left for the day.  She loved it when we were all home together.  Between the heat, the boys leaving, and her hardly ever leaving the house since summer started, she was a little off.  

I hummed.  “Why don’t you and me go out?  We could go for a swim in the lake if you want.”

Chichi hummed, too, but didn’t respond right away, her gaze still focused on something outside the window. “Work needs done around the house.”

“That can wait.”  I reached for the neat little bow behind her neck that held up her white apron.  I pulled the bow open and did the same to the one holding her apron to her waist.  “How about it, honey?”

Chichi giggled and tossed the apron on the counter on top of the dishtowel.  “Okay.  Let me grab a few things and then let’s go.”

~+~

Our bare feet dangled in the lake’s cool water as Chichi and I sat side-by-side on the lake’s edge.  I had on my black swim shorts and Chichi had on a pink one-piece swimsuit with a simple white wrap tied around her waist.  She let her long hair down to dry in the sun from the swim and I couldn’t resist sliding my fingers through her long soft hair.  She smiled at me before a small flock of ducks took off out of the lake.  Chichi watched them until they were almost out of sight.  

“Goku?”

“Hmm?”

“I want you to teach me how to fly.”

I stared at her with wide eyes.  “Y-you want to learn how to fly?”

I didn’t expect that!

Chichi met my gaze and nodded.  “Yes.”

I grinned.  “Want to start now?”

“Sure.”

I pulled my legs out of the water, stood, and offered Chichi a hand.  She accepted it and we walked to a soft patch of grass.  

“You know how to do this,” I said as I cupped my hands in front of me and summed just enough ki to form a little pinpoint of light over my palms.  

Chichi’s energy surged as she summoned her own tiny ball of light in her hands, held it a moment, and let it fade.  

“Yeah, that’s it,” I said as I nodded.  “Well, flight isn’t too different from what you just did.  Instead of bringing my energy into my hands, I kind of just push it up.  Give it a try!”  

Chichi nodded slowly, murmured, “Push it up,” and closed her eyes.  

I watched her with baited breath.  Chichi was strong.  If anyone could fly, she definitely could.  Chichi’s energy built and flowed gently around her.  Her long hair billowed with the air her energy displaced.  Her bare toes lifted off the grass.  She eased a couple feet higher and opened her eyes.  She grinned as she stared around herself, directed that smile at me, and my heart fluttered.  Chichi had complete control but I held my arms out for her just in case.  

Her feet touched down gently in the grass and she blew out a breath, still not losing her grin.  

Chichi threw her arms around me.  “I did it!”

I laughed as I held her.  “Yeah!  I knew you could do it, babe!”

I stepped away to give her space to try again.  

Chichi narrowed her eyes and floated off the grass.  She flew higher, that time almost level with the treetops.  The swimsuit wrap around her waist came loose and fluttered away on the breeze.  She reached for it but missed.

I smiled.  “Will yourself forward and you’ll go forward.”

Chichi moved forward, slowly at first, and I stayed right with her.  She wobbled, dropped a few inches, and recovered.  Her wide-eyed gaze sought mine.  

“Don’t worry, babe.  I’m right here.  I’ll catch you if you fall,” I said.  

Chichi relaxed with that and her flight stabilized.  

Chichi looked off toward her white swimsuit wrap, not much more than a small speck over the trees.  “Oh, I’m never going to catch that.”

“You’ll get this in no time, babe.  All you need is practice.  I’ll be right back,” I said with a wink.  

I flew after the little white speck floating over the trees, snatched her soft knitted wrap out of the air, and rejoined Chichi all in only a few seconds.  I gave it to her.  

Chichi smiled as she tied it around her waist with a double knot.  “Thank you, sweetheart.”

Chichi sank toward the grass and I followed her down where we both landed.  She bent double and braced her hands on her knees to catch her breath.  

“That’s a little hard to hold at first, isn’t it?” I said, remembering my struggles with my first flight.

She straightened and nodded.  After a short break, she was right back at it again.  That was my wife!  When there was something she wanted, she never gave up.

~+~

Chichi flew fast circles around me and zigzagged through the air above our house.  I chased after her.  

“I feel completely weightless!” she yelled through a laugh as she swooped in low over our house.  “This is amazing!  I should have asked you to teach me ages ago!”

I chuckled as I chased her through the air.  “What’s even more amazing is how fast you mastered this!”  

I married one incredible woman!

Chichi landed on our roof.  “Let’s go to the coast.”

With no warning, she took off again, angling to the south.  I flew after her.  We lived pretty close to the ocean so we reached the glittering expanse of sea only a few minutes later.  I breathed in the briny air.  We overflew a remote, untouched beach and out over the surprisingly calm blue water.  Chichi skimmed her fingers along the glassy surface and then gained some altitude.

Small, sleek shapes darted around just a little too deep to make out.  A fin sliced through the surface, followed by a lot more.  Shiny grey dolphins leaped high from the glassy water, twisting in the air to get a look at Chichi and me.  

Chichi clapped her hands together.  “Oh, look at them!  There has to be at least fifty!”

“Hey, watch this!” I yelled over the splashing and whistling dolphins.  “I’m going to give them something to chase.”

I dove low over the seawater, almost skimming the surface.  Just like I thought they would, the dolphins kicked their powerful tails and stayed right on mine.  They porpoised after me, taking breaths of air every time they breached the surface.  The dolphins stayed with us a good long while but eventually the group grew bored.  They veered away and I quickly lost them in the endless expanse of blue.  All that was left of them was choppy water and a frothy film clinging to the surface.

“I think the dolphins liked that,” said Chichi as she slowed to a hover some ten feet over the water.

“Remember when we saw dolphins from Nimbus when we were young?” I asked.

Chichi’s eyes sparkled.  “Oh, how could I possibly forget?”  She touched her cheek and sighed.  “And then we got married.”

I floated closer to her.  “Mm-hmm.”

I smoothed a strand of hair out of her face and moved in for what was supposed to be a little kiss.  When we came up for air, I was breathless.  Chichi’s cheeks were flushed and she batted long eyelashes at me.  The breeze carried a distant foghorn.  The day was almost over.  Chichi cupped her hands around her mouth and called for Nimbus.  The little yellow cloud found us in no time just like it always did before.  

Chichi made herself comfortable and patted for me to join her.  “Let’s watch the sunset over the ocean like we did when we were young.”

I sat beside Chichi on Nimbus’ soft, fluffy surface.  When Chichi shivered as the temperature dropped a little, I pulled her onto my lap.  The sunset painted bright pink, orange, and gold all over the water and I was sure I spotted the pod of dolphins leaping on the horizon.  Chichi snuggled into me and, together, we watched until the last of the sunset’s bright colors faded with the last of the daylight and night took over.  We took Nimbus home.  When the boys were both home, we surprised them with a flight out as a family.  

[cressasdbfanfics]

High Mountains, Flowing Waters

Pairing: GoChi

Word count: 393

Summary: Goku, Chichi, and their boys enjoy a nice outing as a family, their first since the miracle that gave them back their Goku. For GoChi Week 2022.

Prompt: GoChi week 2022 Day 3--High Mountains, Flowing Waters

FFN: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14136620/1/High-Mountains-Flowing-Waters

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/41707989

"Daddy! Look at me!" yelled Goten from where he hovered several feet above the rippling water of the lake.

Chichi reflexively reached toward him. "Be care-!"

Goten tucked himself into a ball and dropped out of the air. He hit the calm water with a mighty splash. His waterlogged head popped out of the frothing water with a broad grin.

I patted Chichi knee. "He's fine, Chi." I cupped my hand around my mouth. "Pretty good, Goten!"

Gohan floated above the water where Goten had hovered moments before. "Hey, Goten! You better move!"

Goten glanced up and dove. He resurfaced a moment later closer to the rocky shore near Chichi and me and then Gohan—like Goten—tucked himself into a ball and let himself freefall. Gohan's splash dwarfed Goten's. I grimaced. Gohan's splash might actually reach us! Droplets of water splattered Chichi and me.

"Easy there, Gohan!" yelled Chichi as she smoothed her hair.

Gohan laughed. "Sorry about that, mom!"

Chichi shook her head but smiled.

I brushed a droplet of water off the tip of her nose. Chichi giggled.

"It's a good thing you've already got the fishing done because you boys would've scared them all away!" said Chichi as our waterlogged sons slogged ashore in only their boxers.

The boys and I laughed.

"You've got a point there, babe," I said.

The boys dried themselves with a quick burst of ki, pulled on dry pants, and flopped down next to Chichi and me on our family picnic blanket. Flat on his back and spread-eagled between Chichi and Gohan, Goten yawned. Chichi brushed her fingers through Goten's thick, dry hair as Gohan laid down, too.

"This is nice," said Gohan after a wide yawn.

"It sure is," said Chichi as she made herself comfortable between Goten and me. Chichi hummed. "Our first picnic as a family of four."

My heart swelled. I turned to my side and braced my elbow in the soft, thick comforter. I propped my head up on my hand and leaned to kiss Chichi's temple but she turned her head and caught me on my lips instead. I laughed lightly and went in for another as the warm breeze rustled the tall, soft grass around us. Life really didn't get better than a late afternoon nap with my family in the great outdoors of Mt. Paozu.

[cressasdbfanfics]

Footsteps in the Snow

Paring: GoChi

Words: 398

Summary: Goku and Chichi have just started their lives together in their little home on Mt. Paozu. Goku enjoys showing Chichi things he knows about the mountain and where the best hunting is.  

FFN: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14136278/1/Footsteps-in-the-Snow (super glitchy, trying to fix it)

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/41691165

Snow had a unique way of muffling the noises of the forest. Even the birds were quiet, hardly making a peep. Deer moved silently through the trees ahead. Hoof prints disturbed the fresh snow at my feet and led toward the herd partially concealed by trees ahead. Large forms picked around the trees and undergrowth, barely visible through the bramble. A twig snapped somewhere to the side, sounding rather close. When I slowly turned toward the noise, a doe with her ears perked stared at me. I froze. The herd was bigger than I first thought and I was in the middle of it.

Something shifted in the treetops above where more of the herd grazed on the limited winter greens, much too big to be a bird. A shadow dropped silently out of the treetops. The herd bolted. Panicked deer sprang through the trees and bushes all around. I jumped for a tree branch above and swung my leg over it, lest I be trampled beneath their sharp hooves. Balanced on my stomach on the branch, I waited.

Branches shifted, bushes rattled and out stepped my husband with his fresh kill—a young buck—slung over one shoulder.

Goku turned his always-present, easy going smile up at me. "Heh, whatcha doin' way up there?"

Heat spread across my cheeks. "I, uh, didn't want to get trampled."

Goku dropped the dead buck in the snow and held his arms out for me. "Drop. I'll catch ya."

I hung by my hands and dropped. Goku caught me without so much of a grunt. Locked on mine, his big, dark eyes blinked. I pressed a kiss to his cheek before I could think better of it. He let out a quiet little giggle and set me on my feet in the ankle-deep snow, delightful pink blossoming across his cheeks. He lifted the buck, slung it around his broad shoulders and led the way out of the forest and toward home.

"We've been married three weeks today," I said, the realization throwing a little skip in my step.

Goku smiled over his shoulder and held his gloved hand out toward me. We held hands all the way home—except for where we had to hop over a frozen stream. Goku seemed happy living with me in our little home on Mt. Paozu. Goodness knew I was.

[cressasdbfanfics]

Dreams of Forever

Paring: GoChi

Words: 2353

Summary: Set long after the events of GT. Chichi is old and dying and the boys are heartbroken. Their families are pretty torn up to for they know Mt. Paozu will never be the same without this woman in their lives. Angsty.

FFN: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14136267/1/Dreams-of-Forever

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/41690838

Even with so many grown adults and three small children crammed into my mother's bedroom, the crowded space was somehow eerily quiet. All present were focused on mom, propped up to a shallow angle on a small stack of pillows and covered with an old handmade floral quilt—one of mom's creations. Gohan and I sat on opposite sides of our mother and each gently held one of her frail, arthritic hands. She was the most relaxed if we maintained a point of physical contact, so we did. Gohan and I hadn't left her side and had no plans to even as she drifted in and out of consciousness. Hard to believe only a little over three days before, when we all gathered to be with mom, all was well. That was before Gohan found her slumped on her sofa, before her severe stroke. Another small one so soon after took any chances she had of recovery with it. She was only seventy-eight.

The kind middle-aged hospice nurse took mom's vitals. When she pulled the blood-pressure cuff off mom's arm with the distinctive sound of ripping Velcro, she said, "Won't be long now."

Gohan and I nodded, both still focused on mom as the nurse stepped aside.

Mom lightly squeezed my hand. If Gohan's small smile was anything to go by, she squeezed his hand, too.

"She knows we're here," I murmured.

Gohan nodded again and brushed a strand of silver hair out of mom's wrinkled face. "Yeah. We're all here, mom. Videl, Pan, Uub, their kids, and Marron and the twins, too. We're all here."

Her mouth moved with a single, silent word: Goku. She sighed in her sleep but even still, she smiled.

"Heh, I think she's dreaming about Dad," I said.

Gohan chuckled.

Dad had been gone decades and she still never stopped loving him. She held out hope dad would come back some day all the way to the end. Gohan confided in me he had a feeling we wouldn't see dad again after he left with Shenron. Mom wouldn't hear it. I didn't want to admit it but on some level, I knew Gohan was right. Dad was really, truly gone.

We all—Gohan and me and our families—banded around mom after that. Marron and I built a house next-door to Gohan and Videl's place on Mt. Paozu right by mom's house. Mom seemed okay. She was strong but she missed dad deeply. Sometimes, I caught her gazing at dad's picture with tears in her eyes. When she'd notice me looking, she'd hurriedly set the picture down, wipe her eyes, and pretend nothing was wrong. We all missed dad but sometimes his bright, light-up-the-room smile came out in my girls, and his tenaciousness came out in Pan. That brought mom comfort and having us close by helped.

Mom's face scrunched up. A tear rolled down her cheek. Gohan and I exchanged a small frown. Was this…it?

Gohan wiped the tear off her pale cheek with a tissue and then froze mid motion. Something tugged at my ki sense. I shook my head and pushed the strange yet familiar warmth out of my mind. Surely, I was imagining things. Yeah, it was just wishful thinking. Maybe Gohan froze because mom's already rattly breathing changed. I glanced at Marron and out of the corner of my eye, saw Pan staring out mom's open bedroom door.

"Goten?" asked Marron.

All I could do was shake my head at her and stare at Gohan. "There's no way that's…?"

Focused intently on the open bedroom door, Gohan didn't respond right away. I didn't see anyone but I felt him.

A warm, golden glow flooded the hallway darkened by the setting sun and then faded. Footsteps approached across the hardwood floor, grew louder, and then there he was. A collective gasp spread through the room and no one dared move even a muscle. Dad stood in the doorway and looked around the room. He wore that same easy-going smile and that same orange gi he always did. He was in the prime of his life—or rather his death. A golden, glowing halo hovered inches over his wild hair.

His smile broadened. "Heh, hi everybody. Been a while, huh?"

"Goku," came a weak, raspy whisper next to me.

Dad's bright smile turned tender as his gaze slid to mom.

Marron, Videl, Pan, Uub and their kids stepped aside, clearing a short path from the door to mom's bed. Pan and Uub's three young children stared at dad. A blue-eyed girl with straight dark hair, the oldest by the name of Pumpa, pointed and whispered something to one of her younger brothers, curious about an incredible man they knew only through pictures and bedtime stories.

Dad took my place next to mom and took her hand in his. Another tear rolled down her cheek followed by a lot more. Dad grabbed a tissue and wiped her tears away. He pressed a kiss to her forehead.

Mom's eyelids twitched and then fluttered open but only half-way. She blinked a few times and then her rheumy-eyed gaze focused on dad.

The stroke stole her ability to speak but she did recognize and boy did her eyes brighten as they settled on Dad. Dad brushed his fingers lightly on the wrinkled skin of her cheek and she turned her head into his touch. She closed her eyes and her already barely-detectable ki dipped. Her chest stopped moving with her breath. Her ki disappeared altogether. Sniffles spread around the room and my eyes stung. I checked on my girls. Akina sobbed quietly into her hands and Keiko wrapped her arms around her twin sister. The young woman tried to be strong, as she always did, but she broke down, too. Marron stretched her arms as far as she could around them both and drew them in for the hug they needed.

At a tap on my shoulder, I looked to dad.

He nodded down at mom. "Watch."

A strange, soft glow enveloped mother but, beyond that, it took me a moment to even process what I was seeing. She changed right before my eyes. Her face was the first to change. Wrinkled skin smoothed and healthy color blossomed across her cheeks. Her short, thin grey hair turned dark and shiny from the root to tip and dramatically lengthened to what I remember from when I was a little boy. Knobby, arthritic fingers tucked in dad's hand turned slender and young. Transfixed, I almost didn't notice the halo that twinkled into existence over her head still resting on the pillows.

"Dad?" asked Gohan. "How in the world…?"

Dad glanced at Gohan and merely winked.

Mom stirred at dad's light touch to her cheek, took a breath, and opened her eyes.

She blinked and glanced around the room at the others all staring at mom with wide yet teary eyes. "That was… odd. All I remember is falling asleep."

Even her voice sounded young, just like she did in the prime of her life.

Her brow crinkled and then she looked up, pressing the back of her head into her pillows. "Oh." Dad chuckled as she glanced at her hand in his. Mom gasped and then pulled her hands out of his and Gohan's. She stared at her healthy, arthritis-free hands and then touched her newly young face next. She stared at dad, her lively dark eyes questioning.

Dad's soft smile broadened but as with Gohan, he remained tight lipped. Dad had his secrets sometimes.

"King Yemma is expecting her and you best not keep him waiting," said the short, squat Fortuneteller Baba from a corner of the room.

Fortuneteller Baba had a habit of that, slipping in and out without anyone sensing her arrival.

"Yeah, I know," said Dad without so much of a glance toward Baba. "We'll be up in a few minutes."

Perhaps it was that old fortuneteller who orchestrated dad's visit like last time.

I glanced at Gohan and his lips twitched up, perhaps having the same thought as me. Dad had explained the dead being allowed to visit the realm of the living was a very rare privilege granted only to heroes. If anyone deserved that privilege, dad did.

Dad stood and offered mom his hand. "Let's say goodbye to everyone while we still can." He glanced over his shoulder, toward Pan's family and at my daughters, too. "I have new grandkids to meet!"

Mom nodded, pulled the blanket off herself, and accepted his hand. Her ankle-length light purple nightgown had been replaced with a sleeveless light blue qipao with white pants and darker blue house shoes, the same style she wore my whole life. A lock of her long black-brown hair fell in front of her face. Mom grabbed it and lifted an eyebrow at dad. Her eyes narrowed. Uh oh.

Pink blossomed across dad's cheeks as he rubbed the back of his neck. "Heh, what? You know I like your hair long."

Mom giggled and stood from the bed like it was nothing, like she didn't need assistance with that simple task for most of the last couple of years. The ease with which she moved seemed to surprise her, too. She glanced down at her feet and bent double to touch her toes.

"Gosh, I haven't been able to do that in a long while," she said as she straightened.

"You're back in your prime now, babe." More softly, dad said, "You'll be like this for forever."

Mom led dad first to my girls. My daughters held each other even while being hugged by their mother. After murmured introductions, small smiles spread across their faces and they both stepped out of their embrace to wrap their arms around dad. Dad wrapped his arms around them, too. Despite both being almost as tall as Marron now, Dad hugged them so tight, he drew them right off their feet. Akina and Keiko laughed as dad set them on the floor. His hands lingered on their shoulders for a few extra moments.

"Ya know, you girls have your mother's eyes but your dad's smile. You got that from me," said dad with a laugh.

Akina and Keiko laughed despite the tears still rolling down their cheeks.

"So we've been told," replied Keiko with a sniffle.

"I can tell you two are super strong, too. Keep your dad on his toes for me, okay?" Dad beamed with pride. He always said he knew Marron and me would get married someday. I knew he'd love them, too. Dad and them would have made a great team. I chuckled to myself for the first time all day.

Akina nodded, wiping her nose. "Kay… thanks Grandpa!" She said and hugged him again, until Marron had to break them apart.

Mom stepped forward to hug my girls, too. That was one hug neither wanted to break, complete with lots of sniffles and tears all around. Keiko and Akina were so close to mom. The twins grew up on Mt. Paozu like Gohan and I did and Mt. Paozu just wouldn't feel the same without their grandmother. It wasn't going to be the same for Gohan or me, either.

Pan approached with her three young children in tow and Uub just behind them.

Dad pulled Pan in for a big hug, too while the kids lingered back. Dad put his hands on Pan's shoulders and grinned. "Just look at ya, Pan. You're Chichi's spittin' image!"

Pan let out a noise somewhere between a giggle and a sob. I chuckled, too.

"They really do look almost identical," said Gohan as he approached dad, mom, and Pan. "Especially now."

Dad laughed. I missed that sound. The wild spikes of dad's hair bobbed as he looked down at the three small kids hiding behind Pan's legs.

"Well, hi there!" said Dad. Though his back was to me, it wasn't hard to picture his bright smile, the same one he gave me when I first met him.

Just like Mom had when I first met Dad, Pan stepped aside and urged her kids to go meet their great-grandfather. The youngest was hardly more than a toddler and quickly darted behind his mother's leg again. Pan's only daughter ran to her great-grandfather first and dad scooped her up. "I'm Pumpa and I'm eight years old!"

The middle child pulled his baby brother out from behind Pan by the hand and led him to meet their great grandpa together. "I'm Jin! And this is Goku!"

"Goku, well, little Goku, definitely has your hair," said mom through a giggle.

Dad chuckled, too, and scooped the two little boys up with their sister. He wrapped his arms around them all, squeezing them to his chest.

"Can you stay with us?" asked Jin.

Dad shook his head. "I'm afraid I can't but maybe someday, great-grandma and I can come visit you. Would you like that?"

Jin nodded. "Yeah!"

Mom and dad hugged Marron and Uub and then came the part I was dreading the most: it was my turn to say goodbye to my parents. Mom and Dad wrapped their arms around me and I was delightfully sandwiched between them. Even with the hope of another earthside visit during my lifetime, goodbyes were hard. A large, painful lump formed in my throat. Tears stung my eyes. Mom wiped her thumb across my cheek and then reached for Gohan when he came to stand with us, too.

"Oh, my sweet boys," murmured mom.

Tears gathered in her eyes as she and dad hugged Gohan between them like they did me. Gohan's eyes grew glassy, too. I swore dad's were, too. They watched us and we watched them as her and dad vanished in little bubbles of light, almost like the fireflies that appeared on Mt. Paozu every summer. Even those little bubbles disappeared, too. I couldn't feel either of them anymore at all.

I smiled through the tears sliding down my cheeks. "They're finally together again. Forever."

Gohan's voice cracked as he said, "Yeah. And no one deserves it more."

[cressasdbfanfics]

Chichi’s Medicine

Paring: GoChi

Words: 780

Summary: Set post Majin Buu. A silly little oneshot about Chichi discovering a minor health condition during the years Goku was dead after Cell and how Goku processes this when he comes back to life. Chichi's POV.

FFN: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14109494/1/Chichi-s-Medicine

AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/40350777

Streaks of golden, early morning sunlight streamed in through the little gap in our bedroom window curtains. My alarm clock read two minutes to six in the morning—the time my alarm was set to go off. I flicked the switch that turned off the alarm and squirmed and shifted under the warm weight of Goku's arm draped over my waist.

My sweet husband snorted in his sleep, mumbled something, and pulled me closer to him, pressing my backside against his front. I stifled my quiet giggle. He was still out cold and I wanted to keep it that way. After the ordeal with Majin Buu, Goku needed sleep. Still, my husband and my sons were often up not long after me and always hungry and ready to eat first thing in the morning. Saiyans needed their food. Still, I couldn't quite make myself get out of bed. Goku was so warm and awakening next to him again after so many years apart was a dream come true.

Oh, breakfast could wait a little longer. I rolled to face him and kissed his nose. Goku cracked an eye open and gave me a sleepy, lopsided little smile and a return kiss on my lips which he followed with wandering hands. A light, warm touch slid lower down my hip. I gasped and squealed when he gave my bottom a gentle squeeze.

The muffled noise of a squeaky door hinge carried into our room, through our closed door.

"The boys are awake," I hissed with a frown, twisting to get away from my mischievous husband.

Goku only chuckled but let me go.

He knew better than to try something like that with the boys awake. The way he gazed at me with those big doe eyes and that lopsided smile that left me a little weak at the knees made him impossible to stay mad at and he was well aware.

I shook my head but turned away from him to hide my smile as I dressed for the day. Seated at my simple white vanity, I brushed my hair and pulled it up into my usual tight bun while Goku got out of bed. As was habit, I opened my nightstand next to my side of the bed and withdrew the small brown pill bottle containing my morning medication. A quick count of the tiny, light violet pills confirmed I missed the previous morning's dose. I grimaced but realized I had a good reason. It was only Goku's second morning home since the battle against Majin Buu. Missing one day's dose didn't cause too much harm.

A weight sank into the mattress next to me.

"Medicine? You're not sick, are ya?" asked Goku.

I glanced at him and smiled at his slight frown. "No, sweetheart. I'm not sick."

"Then why're ya takin' that?" he said with a nod at the bottle in my hand.

I swallowed one of the tiny pills with a swallow of water from the water bottle kept on my nightstand and said, "While you were gone, I had to see a doctor for a little problem I was having. She gave me this medicine." I returned the bottle to my night stand drawer and closed it with a quiet snap. "My mother had this and, apparently, it can be hereditary."

Goku jumped to his feet. "B-but your mother's dead!"

"Yes, she is," I said as I stood and crossed my arms.

Goku grabbed my shoulders, his slight frown more intense. "Don't tell me you're dyin'!"

My mouth fell open. I stared up at him while Goku stared down at me with his eyebrows pinched tightly together and his full lips turned down into a childish pout.

I laughed and shook my head. "No, sweetheart. I'm perfectly fine. This isn't anything to worry about, okay?"

Goku nodded slowly but still didn't look entirely convinced as he pulled me in for a tight hug. "Promise?"

I pushed myself up on my tiptoes and pressed my lips on the corner of his mouth. "Promise. Now, I need to start breakfast. I know you're hungry and I'm sure our boys are, too."

Big eyes blinked down at me as a light blush blossomed across his cheeks. I touched his cheek and drew him in for another short kiss, that one leaving him with a dazed, crooked smile.

I giggled.

Goku followed me downstairs into the kitchen and watched me cook our breakfast like he had his first morning home with us, his elbow braced on the table and his face resting in his palm. He was just too sweet sometimes. He always was protective of me. That was my Goku.

[cressasdbfanfics]

Slip

Paring: GoChi

Words: 810

Summary: Set in between Dragon Ball and Z, when Goku and Chichi have only been married a few years. They get to go away on a quiet night out while Ox King watches Gohan.

Fanfiction.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/14006592/1/Slip

Archive of Our Own: https://archiveofourown.org/works/35768233

"C'mon, Goku!" said Chichi as she waved for me to join her out on the busy, outdoor ice-skating rink.

Balanced only on the thin blades of my ice-skates, I wobbled and steadied myself on the low wall surrounding the rink.

Chichi slowly slid backward on the ice, glancing behind her now and then to make sure she didn't hit the other people. She lifted one skate off the ice and spun in a graceful circle and smiled as she adjusted her fluffy pink earmuffs. I couldn't help but smile back when she smiled at me like that.

"Well?" she asked.

I nodded and swung one leg over the threshold, rested the blade of one skate on the ice and put my weight on it. My skate slid forward over the ice without me and I grimaced as I grabbed the low wall to regain my balance. Somehow, I managed to get my other foot off the rink's carpeted entrance and on the ice only for my skates to slide away from me again.

"Too slippery," I muttered as I clung to the wall.

Chichi giggled. "Of course, it is, silly! It's ice! Here." She grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the wall and the support it provided. "With me."

She pushed off first with one skate, and then the other, keeping her movements slow but graceful. Chichi pulled me along in a straight line, toward the middle of the ice-skating rink. I frowned as I did my best to follow along with her. We glided over the ice together—well, she glided while I just tried to keep my ice-skates under me. My skates kept trying to slide off in all different directions besides forward and Chichi's support was the only thing keeping me from falling.

The ice was slippery but I wasn't about to give up. Besides, Chichi got so excited when she saw the ice-skating rink in the snowy mountain village we visited while our three-year-old son, Gohan, spent the night with Ox King. Chichi said she'd only been ice-skating a few times as a kid. She begged me to take her and, well, there was no way I could say no to that smile. It took so much convincing for her to leave Gohan for a night. Still, she worried. It was nice to see her finally relax and enjoy herself.

A little more focus and I found my balance—figuring out the trick was to stay on the inside of the blade. Tilt my ankles too much and the skates took my feet out sideways, but just enough of an angle kept me balanced. Skating was a little like learning how to control my energy. It just took focus. My skates moved more smoothly over the ice as Chichi continued to pull me along. I followed her slow rhythm of pushing off first with one skate and then the other.

"Hey! I think I'm getting it!" I said with a glance and smile in her direction.

"Yeah! That's the way!" said Chichi—only for her encouraging smile and sparkling eyes to snag my attention for a little too long.

Movement out of the corner of my eye and I swerved right into Chichi, narrowly missing a small group of little kids enjoying themselves on the ice. The movement threw both of us hopelessly off balance. My skates slid sideways out from under me, throwing my body the opposite direction, right into Chichi. We both went down with yelps. I landed on top of her but somehow managed to catch my weight enough I didn't hurt her.

"Chi? You okay?" I asked as I scrambled to get off of her—even that was hard on the cold, slippery ice.

She answered with a nod as big, dark, sparkling eyes blinked up at me. I fell on her but her eyes sparkled as she looked into mine, and then—was she actually laughing? Maybe she hit her head too hard on the ice. Her giggle spread to me and I couldn't help but laugh, too—which made trying to get up even harder. Still, I somehow managed to give her space to sit up.

Fresh snow flakes dusted her hat and her exposed hair and the skin of her face. I reached out, brushed the cold bits of snow off her cheeks, and Chichi's eyes went back to sparkling. My throat went dry at the way she looked at me. I swallowed. Chichi moved closer, leaned in, and warm lips touched against mine as her hand settled on my thigh. All too soon, she pulled away. Chichi stood and pulled me up with her—standing up on ice was really hard but she was strong.

I definitely didn't mind the whole ice-skating thing—especially not if it meant I got to see more of her smile.

[cressasdbfanfics]

Windblown

Paring: GoChi

Words: 2,051

Summary: Just me fulfilling a really old prompt request on Tumblr that I kinda forgot about. Whoops. Set about a year after Goku’s return post Buu’s defeat.

Prompt: The power goes out following (during) a windstorm. Also, it’s spring in the fic, not fall like the prompt list says.

Prompt list: The user deleted their whole account. Sad. I tried to link to the prompt list.

Fanfiction.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13868732/1/Windblown

Archive of Our Own: https://archiveofourown.org/works/30883772

Cool spring air floated in through our open living room window, bringing with it the nice sweet scents of blooming flowers. Fluffy little clouds dotted the blue sky visible out the window. Gohan and Videl enjoyed a little spar under the evening sunshine a ways away from our home. They deserved a break from studying for their upcoming finals.

The breeze carried in their distant laughter and grunts. Curled up on our living room sofa, I hummed enjoying the soft breeze while I browsed a home décor catalogue.

A weight settled in the empty cushion on the other end of our sofa. I smiled at my sweet husband who was on his knees on the sofa, hands braced on the windowsill, as he looked toward where our son and future daughter in law fought.

"Videl's gettin' really pissed," he said through a chuckle.

I set down my catalogue on the side table next to me and watched Gohan and Videl through the window. Gohan's eyes lit up with a familiar, playful smirk—the same smirk his father wore when he stayed just out of my reach. Gohan dodged Videl's kick with a big jump backwards. Videl flew toward Gohan, her growl floating in through the open kitchen window. That little smirk during a little spar was just as infuriating to her as it was to me.

Goku flashed that same playful little smirk in my direction before returning his attention to Gohan and Videl. I shook my head but couldn't help a smile.

I stood from our comfortable sofa and nodded toward the window. "Shall we, sweetheart?"

Goku's eyes lit up and he jumped to his feet. I giggled as he grabbed my hand and pulled me outside with him into the cool spring breeze.

+++

I wiped the sweat from my forehead and glared at Goku. Oh, he was really going to get it if I could just catch him. I rushed Goku with a snarl, my fist ready to smash into his cheek.

My fist passed through empty air.

A whisper of warm breath off to one side brushed the exposed skin of my arm. I swung my elbow toward the warm sensation with as much weight as I could put into it. My elbow did collide with flesh in a satisfying smack—though not my intended target. Goku caught my elbow with an open hand, which he dropped to hang limply at this side. I shook off the jarring impact and got ready to attack him again.

Goku dodged and wove through every kick and punch I threw at him. Sometimes he returned a light hit, exploiting the rare opening I left. That playful little smirk never left his face. The light, cooling breeze picked up as we fought and felt wonderful against my skin.

"You're really strong, mommy!" yelled a small voice from somewhere near the house.

I sprang backwards out of Goku's reach and could easily make out Goten's awed smile inside our brightly lit house.

I giggled. "Thank you, sweetie."

"Yeah, you are," said Goku with a wink.

My heart fluttered in my chest as a little extra heat spread across my cheeks.

The bright sunlight faded.

An imposing mass of dark grey clouds blotted out the golden sunlight of late evening.

"Huh. Looks like we're gettin' a storm," said Goku, his gaze toward the sky. Goku looked at me, his eyebrows raised.

I answered Goku's silent question with a smirk. I wasn't about to let a little weather stop me.

Goku grinned.

I lunged for him as the wind picked up and feigned a punch to one side while setting up my real attack. Goku caught onto my ploy and answered with simply springing backward just out of my reach. I growled under my breath.

Goku chuckled and winked. "Nice try, babe."

I sprang after Goku and again let loose a quick series of knife handed strikes but all of them, as usual, missed.

The increasing wind made things difficult to keep going but I pushed through it, anyway. Goku seemed unfazed by the wind pulling on his gi and simply bobbed and wove around my attempted strikes, still wearing that irritating smirk.

"Mom! Dad!" yelled Gohan.

I stopped my attacks against Goku as Gohan and Videl landed by the two of us, eyes wide.

"Uh-oh," said Goku, staring at something behind Gohan and Videl, across the yard.

I followed his gaze. A wall of very low, dark grey cloud rushed toward us, flattening the grass it passed over. The wind carried the fresh scent of rain. A deep rumble echoed through the mountains and a bright flash of light lit up the darkened sky.

Goku pulled me against him. "We have to get inside!"

Goku reached toward Gohan and Videl. "Goten's inside! Grab on!"

A few droplets of chilly rain hit my face and the skin of my arms exposed by my rolled up sleeves before our living room materialized around us. The wind howled through our house.

"Quick! Close the windows!" I yelled as I dove for the open window above our sofa. The window wouldn't budge. It was hard to close against the wind. Large, strong hands stopped my struggle and easily pulled the window closed. I grimaced at the high-pitched sound of shattering ceramic. "The kitchen!"

Goku jogged into the kitchen but not before another dish—likely from the drying rack above our sink—met its end with another loud crash.

The wind blowing through our house ceased. I sighed grabbed the broom out of the utility closet.

"I need to cover the firewood," said Goku as I swept up the razor sharp shards of white ceramic.

He didn't give me the time to tell him to be careful before he phased out and vanished from the kitchen.

Instead, I called out, "Boys! Go check your bedrooms!"

"We are!" called Gohan from down the hall.

I picked up a few kitchen utensils the wind knocked to the floor and put them in their places.

"I hope nothing broke in the boys' rooms," I murmured as I put away the broom.

I decided to check on them.

A few loose-leaf papers littered the hallway floor. I gathered the papers, recognizing Gohan's handwriting, and knocked on Gohan's half-open door before I pushed it open.

"These were in the hallway," I said holding out the papers I found.

Gohan's attention slid up to me from his cross-legged seat on the floor and settled on the papers in my hands. "Oh, thanks," said Gohan absently as he added the loose pages to the stack in his hands.

Videl—seated on the other side of the mess—handed Gohan other papers. "At least you keep everything well labeled."

Gohan's chuckle was only half-hearted as he thumbed through the stack in his hands. "Heh, yeah. All of this is—"

The lights flickered and then went out, engulfing us in darkness.

Gohan groaned.

"I'll find a flashlight," I said. "Goten?" I called toward my youngest son's room. "How's your room?"

"It's fine," came Goten's unconvincing response.

I sighed. "I'll go find a flashlight."

I turned and reached out into the pitch-black darkness. My fingers made contact with the textured paint of Gohan's bedroom wall. I patted my way along the wall and found Gohan's doorway. I didn't get much farther before a warm, dry hand grasped mine.

Goku led me down the hallway with more confidence in the darkness than I showed. Goku always did have excellent night vision but I was surprised even he could see in that perfect, inky darkness without so much as a moon.

"How can you see in this?" I asked.

Goku's giggle reverberated across a wider space than the hallway. "I can't see much more than fuzzy shapes right now. But I can see energy."

"Your fuzzy shapes are better than me. I can't see at all," I said.

Goku giggled again and gave my hand in his a light squeeze. "I gotcha."

Goku stopped walking. I walked into the solid muscle of his back with a soft grunt.

"Heh. Sorry," said Goku. He drew my hand down and off to the side where my fingers grazed the soft, fuzzy fabric of a throw blanket. "Here's the couch. I'll make a fire so we have some heat and light."

I made myself comfortable as Goku shuffled around the fireplace, clangs and scraping noises echoing around our living room, adding to the noise of the wind rattling our windows. A rustle of fabric sounded next to me. I reached toward the noise and felt a small arm.

"Hmm. I wonder who this is," I said, knowing full well.

I moved past his arm and tickled his side.

Goten laughed.

A bright, tiny pinpoint of white light floated on Goku's outstretched fingertip, highlighting Goku's silhouette. The light turned into a soft orange glow that quickly grew brighter. When Goku moved aside, I watched small flames consume the kindling and spread to the logs.

"That should be enough light to see by," said Goku, coming to sit at my other side.

Gohan and Videl emerged into the dim light from the hallway.

"Did you manage to organize your homework?" I asked, dreading his answer from the way his eyebrows pinched together.

Gohan shook his head.

I jumped out of my seat. "I'll find that flashlight and light some candles."

"Thanks, mom."

It took some time to help Gohan get his homework and lecture notes organized again and help Goten clean his room but we did. When we finished, we all sat in the living room, enjoying the heat from the cozy fire burning in our fireplace.

"So, now what?" asked Goku.

"Hmm. Well, we could roast some mochi in the fireplace."

"Yeah!" said Goten as he jumped out of his seat next to me on our sofa.

"Mmm!" hummed Goku.

"How about it, you two?" I asked turning toward Gohan and Videl.

Gohan and Videl answered with eager nods.

I giggled. "Okay."

Goku got up and followed me into the kitchen. I set five plates, five roasting sticks, the box of mochi, and a small bowl of sweetened soy sauce to dip the roasted mochi in all on the counter. Goku helped me carry everything into the living room with a sweet smile.

Gohan, Videl, and Goten all moved to the floor just in front of the fireplace and the burning fire. I readied our snack, spearing a piece of mochi on everyone's roasting sticks and passed them around. We settled into easy, pleasant chatter as we roasted our treat over the fire to a perfect golden brown.

The pleasant chatter died down after we finished our snack. It didn't take long to figure out why. Goten fell asleep curled up against Goku's side under a throw blanket. I reached over Goku's lap and ran my fingers through Goten's thick hair. Gohan and Videl fell asleep facing each other, their hands intertwined.

"Oh, Mr. Satan is going to be so worried about her," I murmured over the crackling fire.

Warm lips pressed against my temple. "Don't worry, babe," breathed Goku into my ear. He yawned and then said, "She's got a phone. She probably already told him." He nodded at Gohan and Videl asleep on the floor. "'Sides, just look at 'em. I don't have it in me to wake 'em up."

I smiled at how sweet Gohan and Videl looked together. "I don't, either."

Goku carefully shifted Goten off of him and grabbed a couple of logs off the small stack of firewood. He pushed them into the fire with a roasting stick. "Let's keep this going a little longer."

I nodded.

Goku wiped the little bit of soot off his hands with a rag, scooted next to me, and wrapped his strong, gentle arms around me. He pulled me down with him to the soft blanket covering our hardwood floor. I giggled softly and settled next to him, resting my head on his chest. Warm breath tickled my forehead. I hummed and snuggled closer.

The chilly spring storm raged on outside but it was so nice and warm inside our little home on Mt. Paozu, I forgot all about it.

My family was home safe and whole.

This was perfect.

[cressasdbfanfics]

Slice of Afterlife

Paring: GoChi

Words: 1,355

Summary: In which Goku receives an unsolicited word of advice from a friend.

Fanfiction.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13863039/1/Slice-of-Afterlife

Archive of Our Own: https://archiveofourown.org/works/30708152

"How much longer to Earth's World Martial Arts Tournament, King Kai?" I called down toward the ground from where I floated in the air after Pikkon and I ended our sparring match.

"A few days!" shouted King Kai from where he stood on the grass of Grand Kai's planet.

I whooped as I landed in front of him. "I can't wait to see everyone!"

King Kai sighed. "I know."

Olibu—watching my match with Pikkon along with a few other fighters—approached.

I smiled. "You lookin' for a good fight?"

Olibu shook his head. The guy loved sparring about as much as I did so his troubled frown was especially off-putting.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"I am well but I must speak with you," he said.

I glanced at King Kai—noting the weirdly knowing look in his eyes and mirroring Olibu's troubled frown. I twitched my shoulders as I returned my attention to Olibu. "Sure. Okay."

"Thank you. Please follow me," said Olibu and floated up into the air toward the pink sky and fluffy golden clouds.

I took off after Olibu. He led me well away from the sparring areas and toward a rocky range of mountains. Olibu angled his flight straight up toward the tallest of the barren, pillar-like mountain peaks. He landed on the rocky mountain peak and I landed next to him, my boots crunching in the dry gravel.

"What's up?" I asked.

With his gaze toward the training fighters in the distance and the Kais and the other warriors cheering them on, Olibu said, "I wish to offer you a word of caution. As your friend, it would be remiss of me if I did not. I simply want you to be prepared."

I nodded slowly. "Okay," I said, drawing the word out. "So, what do you want to tell me?"

"You are not the first warrior to be granted this privilege to visit your home," said Olibu.

"I'm not?" I shrugged as I took in the pretty view. "Heh. I guess I never really thought much about it but I know a lot of people have been around here longer than me." I looked at him again, my eyes widening. "Hold on. Are you saying you got to go back and visit, too?"

"Aye," said Olibu with a single, solemn nod. "Like you, it was some years after my life ended."

"Wait, is this about my visit?"

"Aye. As I said, I want you to be prepared," said Olibu as he finally turned to look at me.

I lifted an eyebrow. "Prepared? Prepared for what?"

"Your reunion with your family may not go as well as you hope," said Olibu.

I frowned. "That's what you brought me up here to tell me?" My hands clenched into fists at my sides. "Did King Kai put you up to this?"

Olibu said nothing to that. I took his silence as an admission. I growled under my breath. I was going to have a talk with King Kai after this myself.

After a short silence, he said, "My visit with my family was not joyous. My wife hated me."

My mouth fell open as I rocked back on my heels.

I shook my head slowly. "Chichi wouldn't—"

"You don't know that," said Olibu. "In life, maintaining my power sometimes required long absences. My wife was… displeased with the arrangement."

I scratched the back of my head. "Heh. Now that sounds familiar but..." I smiled. "Chichi knows how much she means to me," I murmured as I remembered our last two days spent alone before I died fighting Cell.

"Seven years is a long time to pass in life," said Olibu. "I've often heard absence makes the heart grow fonder but absence can have the opposite effect as well. Where there's friction, absence can worsen it."

"That I know," I scoffed, thinking back to my year training with King Kai and my time in the hospital. "Things were a little rough between Chichi and me for a bit there and then I had to leave again for over a year." I sighed. "I thought we patched things up when I got home. At least, she seemed happier with me."

Olibu nodded. "The warning I offer you is this: you may be excited to see your wife but understand your wife may not feel the same. She might even have found happiness elsewhere because years are a long time to wait. You may need to let her go as I had to mine." Olibu sighed and shifted in place, his shoes scraping over the gravel, and turned toward the training area again. "I wish someone warned me prior to my visit."

"You're saying Chichi might have… with another—" I cut myself off with a quick shake of my head.

I couldn't bring myself to say the words. They made me sick to my stomach. I ran a hand through my hair.

"I always knew it was hard on them when I died," I murmured. "I didn't think they would… I didn't think she would…"

We stood in silence for a time as my brain worked to process what Olibu said. I frowned toward the empty dirt under my feet and crossed my arms. As much as I didn't want to admit it, the guy had a point.

"I have given you much to think about," said Olibu. "I will leave you to do so and see that you are left undisturbed. I hope your family is more understanding than mine was."

I stared at Olibu as he flew off toward the training area.

King Kai had to have talked to Olibu. The Kais were able to watch things in the living realm. While I trained to face Vegeta and Nappa, King Kai let me watch Gohan and Chichi sometimes but King Kai refused to let me look at Chichi and Gohan at all since Cell.

"I know you miss them terribly. Trust me when I say looking at them now will only make that worse. You're dead and you've decided you're not going back. It's better this way."

Maybe he saw Chichi and Gohan happy with…

Chichi deserved to be happy. They both did. I was gone a long time. It didn't occur to me she might have moved on—that I might have lost her like that. I couldn't figure out why the idea hurt so much. I always was a selfish person.

The stubborn ache I had been doing my best to ignore since I died flared up again, stronger than before. I couldn't ignore it anymore. I sat down in the dirt on top of the tallest mountain peak of Grand Kai's planet, braced my elbows on my thighs, and let my face fall into my hands. In a few days, I'd know for sure. Even though time moved differently in Other World, the waiting around was hard.

I had to focus. There was also a World Martial Arts Tournament to prepare for. I straightened up where I sat, put my hands on my knees, and closed my eyes. Meditation was a good distraction. I always could count on that to pass the time.

###

"Ready to go?" asked Fortuneteller Baba.

I nodded even though my heart thrummed with a fast-paced rhythm. I was about to see Chichi for the first time since I died. I wanted to see her. I hoped she wanted to see me.

I took a deep breath and locked onto my family and friends for Instant Transmission. I caught them with their backs turned and watched them spin on their heels.

Chichi's big, dark eyes were the first I caught in the group of people smiling at me. She was smiling, too.

"Oh, sweetheart. I missed you," she murmured.

"I missed you, Chichi," I said.

The look in her eyes and her soft smile made the doubt left by Olibu's warning—and that stubborn ache—melt away. Chichi waited. She didn't have to, but she waited. I swallowed the lump in my throat and smiled as my family ran to me for a big hug.

[cressasdbfanfics]

The Future is Bright

Paring: GoChi

Words: 971

Summary: Goten and Marron have some news. For MarTen Day 2021.

Fanfiction.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13837789/1/The-Future-is-Bright

Archive of Our Own: https://archiveofourown.org/works/29967858

"Mmm! Snack time!" I announced to the empty kitchen as I browsed our fridge. "But what do I want?"

The left over fried chicken looked good. I grabbed a few pieces of the chicken plus some fresh fruit and carried them to the table—munching as I went. I didn't have long before Chichi finished her shower and I wanted to clean up my mess before she came downstairs. I wanted to ask her if I could go train for a little while and for that, I wanted her to be in a good mood.

I heard the front door open and close. A few moments later, Goten walked into the kitchen.

"Hey, Goten!" I called with my mouth full.

He jumped a foot in the air and turned wide eyes on me, his face ashen.

I frowned and set my stack of leftover containers on the counter. "Goten? What's wrong?"

The running water shut off upstairs. Goten's eyes went wide. Poor kid looked like he was about to throw up.

"Want to talk about it?"

At Goten's mechanical nod, I twitched my head toward the backdoor. We slipped outside and Goten kicked into the air. I followed him up to the top of one of our pillar-like mountains where Goten landed. I touched down next to him.

I put my hand on his shoulder. "You know you can tell me anything, son. There's no chance your mom can overhear us up here. So, what happened?"

"D-dad," he began with a quiet voice—only to fall silent again. He took a deep breath and finally looked at me. "Dad… Marron and I… we… she's…"

I lifted an eyebrow and tilted my head. "Okay, I get the feeling it's serious—wouldn't be out here if it weren't—but you're going to have to give me more than that, son."

Goten stayed quiet.

It was serious enough he wanted to tell me alone, away from his mother—and then he couldn't even get the words out. Whatever it was, I was sure it was big.

Oh.

Oh.

I rocked back on my heels. "Marron's havin' a baby!?"

Goten gulped and nodded.

I grinned. "Congratulations, son. You'll be a great dad!"

Goten's jaw dropped. "I… what?"

"What's the problem? You love Marron, don't you? I can see it in your eyes."

Goten's cheeks turned bright pink as his gaze fell to the ground at his feet. He didn't say anything. He didn't have to. I remembered first feeling that way about his mother and how much life changed when Gohan was born.

I put my hands on his shoulders. "For what it's worth, I think you'll be a great dad."

His smile broadened as he looked up at me. "Heh… well. I had a pretty good role model."

I chuckled and held his shoulders a moment longer before releasing him. "One of us needs to tell your mom."

Goten blew out a breath and nodded. "Yeah. Okay."

"She'll be thrilled, son! Don't worry!"

"It's not mom I'm worried about," he muttered.

I elbowed him in the ribs and said with a wink, "Hey, don't worry. If Eighteen does actually kill you, I'll just wish you back."

The glare Goten threw at me was so like his mother's. "Dad!"

I laughed and reflexively held my hands out, palm up. "Aw, c'mon, kiddo. She's not gonna do that. I don't think she'll even be angry." Goten didn't seem convinced so I touched his shoulders. "Don't worry so much! Everything'll work out!"

Goten's glare softened. His lips twitched up. "Heh. You're right. Thanks, Dad. I can always count on you." His attention drifted away again and he put his hand in his pocket. "I just hope she says yes," he said under his breath.

I lifted my brows. "Yes to what?"

Goten's gaze snapped up to meet mine. "Oh. Well…"

He pulled his hand out of his pocket and held up a tiny blue velvet box. He opened it and held it out to me. A delicate gold engagement ring shined under the bright afternoon sun, a sparkling diamond perched on top.

I whistled. "Wow. It's beautiful. Marron'll love it."

"I'll tell mom and—" Goten gulped "—her parents tomorrow. I want to take Marron out this evening. Think you could tell mom I'm going out?"

"Sure." Goten still looked a little pale so I told him again, "Everything'll be fine. Babies are a big change but they're a lot of fun."

I was right. Chichi was nothing but ecstatic when Goten and Marron both told her about the baby the next morning and Marron showed Chichi the ring on her finger. Chichi's smile was so bright I almost couldn't take my eyes off of her.

Really, the only person Chichi was mad at was me when she found out Goten told me first. "You knew and you didn't tell me!?"

Chichi invited Krillin and Eighteen over for dinner that evening. Poor Goten looked a little green in the face as we waited for them to arrive. Eighteen was scary sometimes—and knew how to mess with people. She leveled Goten an unblinking look with those steel-blue eyes but Goten held her gaze. Marron's attention bounced back and forth between Goten and Eighteen as she nibbled on a fingernail. Eighteen broke first with a small smile and a little nod of approval.

"Guess we're really family now, eh buddy?" asked Krillin, throwing a grin my way.

I chuckled and nodded. "Yeah."

When all of us struck up some friendly chatter, Goten sagged in his chair and threw me a grateful smile. I winked at him. Goten and Marron exchanged a look and in their expressions, I knew Goten found the love of his life. I caught Chichi's eye and she knew, too.

[cressasdbfanfics]

One More Day

Paring: GoChi

Words: 937

Summary: Goku and Chichi watch one last sunset together before it’s time to go face Cell. Inspired by a song.

Fanfiction.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13714366/1/One-More-Day

Archive of Our Own: https://archiveofourown.org/works/26876941

+++

The sunsets in our area were always breathtaking. Chichi and I had an amazing view, perched high up on a branch in the giant apple tree near our house. Watching sunsets never got old but, for once, I wasn’t paying very much attention to it. Chichi’s head was bowed and her long hair, let down from her usual tight bun, concealed her face. Her hands wrung at the wrinkled fabric of her dress. The next day’s battle against Cell loomed over us both.

I turned my gaze up toward the sky and the first of the night’s stars. Maybe after the battle, I wouldn’t have to give her reason to worry so much about Gohan and me. I could stay home more like I used to before everything got crazy and maybe even get that job like I promised her when I recovered from that heart virus.

I nodded to myself. Yeah.

Chichi would like that. Maybe it was time I reminded her of that promise. Maybe that would even get a smile out of her.

“After Cell’s dead, I’ll get that…” the words died in my throat at the sight of the tears gathering in her dark eyes when she looked at me.

I touched her cheek and brushed Chichi’s tears away with my thumb. She threw her arms around me and buried her face in the crook of my neck. I pulled her onto my lap and hugged her as tight as I dared. Her shoulders trembled.

I had done a pretty good job of keeping Chichi and Gohan relaxed—at least I had up to the last sunset before the upcoming fight against Cell. I couldn’t ignore it anymore, couldn’t put it out of my head. I pressed my face into her soft, dark hair and breathed in the mild, floral scent of Chichi’s lavender shampoo. Chichi told me once that the smell of lavender helped her relax. Between Chichi’s arms wrapped around my shoulders and the calming scent of her lavender shampoo, the knot in my stomach eased.

Keep reading

[cressasdbfanfics]

Missed too Many

Paring: GoChi

Words: 1656

Summary: In which Goku makes up for lost time on a special day of the year-his first after being gone for years.

Prompt: None. Just Valentine’s Day. 

Fanfiction.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13820511/1/Missed-Too-Many

Archive of Our Own: https://archiveofourown.org/works/29478639

"Thanks for breakfast, babe! It was great!" I said as I rubbed my very full stomach.

Chichi's cooking was always amazing.

She smiled over her shoulder at me as she scrubbed our dishes. "You're welcome, Goku."

I stood from my seat at our kitchen table. "I'm going to go train! I'll back later today."

Chichi spun to face me, her eyes narrowed. "Wait a minute! Don't tell me you forgot about today!"

"Uh. Today?"

Chichi sighed as her shoulders slumped. "Never-mind," she said as she turned her back on me.

Gohan stared at me, his eyebrows raised. I glanced at Chichi to make sure she wasn't looking, and winked at Gohan. He smiled.

"What's today?" asked Goten.

I looked at him and shook my head.

I knew full well what the day was. Chichi's little sighs and the slump in her shoulders made me question my plan. Truth be told, I had far more than that little bit of upset to make up to her—missed anniversaries, missed birthdays, and missed Valentine's Days.

I had to make this one the best Valentine's Day ever for her and I knew exactly what to get her.

I went upstairs, grabbed a pair of blue jeans and a tan sweater Chichi knitted for me. Chichi liked me better in street clothes but I didn't want to mess them up while I set everything up for the evening.

"Now, I need some zenni," I murmured.

I grabbed the envelope containing money from our farm's first vegetable harvest. Chichi didn't know about that money yet. I promised Chichi I'd get a job when I got better from the heart virus and make us some money. Took me a while to keep that promise but I did. I stuck the envelope in my gi pocket.

I heard a creak outside our closed bedroom door and ran to our open window, wide-eyed. I dove out of it and landed on my feet on the grass as I heard our bedroom door open. I grimaced before I realized that was my chance to run into the kitchen and grab what I needed there.

Thankfully, the back door was unlocked.

"I thought you left already," said Gohan with an eyebrow raised.

I threw a look at Gohan I pressed a finger to my lips as I glanced at the hallway.

Gohan chuckled.

"I wont tell mom."

I had no idea when she would come back into the kitchen so I worked as fast and as carefully as I could. I grabbed our picnic basket and carefully stacked several dishes and a couple sets of silverware in it.

Gohan approached with the neatly folded family picnic blanket in hand. He handed it to me. "Thanks, son."

Goten watched us from where he sat at the kitchen table, drawing a picture.

"Don't tell your mom I was here, okay?" I said.

Goten nodded. "Okay. But why? Where are you going?"

I chuckled and said in a quiet voice, "You'll understand when you're older."

I heard the bedroom door open.

"Uh oh," I murmured.

I slipped out the way I came in with one last wink at the boys. I kicked into the sky and took off toward Satan City to find my first gift to her. While out on a recent family shopping trip for new clothes, Chichi stopped to admire a ruby necklace with a delicate silver chain in a jewelry store's window display, a small smile on her lips.

The shop was easy to find again, the same necklace still on display. Good thing I had enough zenni for it. The clerk placed it in a red velvet box the same shade as the ruby and put the box in a silver gift bag with a red bow matching the box. He bowed as he handed the bag to me.

Then it was off to Bulma's. I needed to ask her if Goten could stay at her place with Trunks, anyway.

+++

The dragon ball radar beeped in my hand, showing me the location of the last dragon ball right under my feet. I was somewhere deep in a hot, sandy desert wasteland. Something glittered in the ground right in front of my clothes. I pulled the last dragon ball out of the sand, put it in the chest Bulma had given me to carry the dragon balls in, and took off toward home.

I landed in front of the giant apple tree. In addition to the radar and a nice chest for the dragon balls, Bulma had even given me lanterns for the sunset picnic. I smoothed the blanket over the grass and set the chest on a corner. I set the lanterns around our picnic blanket and lit them with tiny sparks of ki.

Once that was done, I changed out of my dirty gi and put on the sweater and jeans I grabbed earlier.

I nodded at my handiwork. "Now, we all we need is food."

I flew back to Satan City and got some takeout from one of our favorite restaurants. Our food was still nice and hot when I got to our apple tree with it. Instant Transmission really came in handy sometimes. I set out the meal and placed the lanterns around the picnic blanket, lighting them with tiny sparks of ki.

I flew home and climbed in through our open bedroom window. In the hallway, I knocked on Goten's door.

He opened it

"Hey, buddy. You want to go spend the night with Trunks tonight?"

Goten grinned. "Yeah!"

I chuckled. "Pack a bag. We'll leave as soon as you're ready."

"'Kay!"

Goten hurried around his room, stuffing clothes and toys into his backpack. He pulled on his shoes. "Ready!"

"Where do you think you're going, young man?" asked Chichi.

I winced and so did Goten.

"Oh. Ch-Chichi," I stammered. "Ah. Heh. Goten's going to go spend the night with Trunks. I already cleared it with Bulma."

Chichi put her hands on her hips. "Is your homework finished?"

Goten nodded as he turned big, pleading eyes on his mother. "Yep! Can I go, Mommy?"

Chichi's stern frown softened. "Oh, I suppose."

"Yay!"

Goten dashed past Chichi and me and into the living room.

"Where's Gohan?" I asked.

Chichi sighed. "He left to go take Videl out tonight."

I nodded. "Good."

I walked past her and then winked over my shoulder at her. "Oh. And don't worry about dinner tonight. I want you to relax."

Her narrowed eyes softened.

"Let's go, daddy!" called Goten.

"I'm comin'."

+++

"Thanks again, Bulma," I said.

Bulma smiled. "No problem, Goku."

I locked onto Chichi's energy and found her putting away chopped up meats and vegetables. I snuck up behind her, reached out—

Chichi spun around, a shoved slender a finger into my chest, and glared up at me. "You haven't been training. You're not even wearing that gi you always do."

"Heh, babe, I'll never understand how you do that."

Her finger dropped away from my chest. "Huh? Do what?"

"Know when I'm sneakin' up on ya."

Chichi's lips twitched up. "Oh, a woman has her ways." Her eyes narrowed again. "Now, what have you been up to?"

I took her hands in mine. "Why don't you come with me and find out?"

I led her outside and scooped her up. Chichi yelped and giggled when I kicked into the air. The flight to the apple tree only took a few seconds. I set her on her feet just off the blanket.

"Oh, Goku," said Chichi as she folded her hands at her chest. "This is what you've been doing?"

I nodded. "You do so much for us. I wanted to do something for you."

Her eyes welled up and my heart raced. I always panicked a little when she cried—even if she was happy. Chichi threw her arms around me before I could decide what to do or say. My arms settled around her and she turned her face up to me. Chichi pushed herself up on her tiptoes and pressed her soft lips on the corner of mine. My heart flip-flopped in my chest.

A growl echoed around the mountains and it took me a moment to realize the growl came from me.

Chichi laughed. "We better not keep that stomach of yours waiting."

I scratched the back of my head and chuckled.

After our meal, I handed Chichi the gift bag. She untied the bow with great care and opened the bag. With a glance at me, she held up the red velvet box and opened it.

Chichi gasped. "Oh, Sweetheart!"

She lifted the necklace out of the box and cradled the ruby pendant in her hand, letting the delicate chain dangle from her fingers. She undid the tiny clasp and put it on. Chichi asked me to put a necklace on her once when we were newlyweds and I broke it. I didn't dare try to help her now.

"It's beautiful!" said Chichi.

"You're prettier," I said.

Chichi giggled.

"One more thing," I said.

I picked up the wooden chest and set it in front of her.

One of Chichi's hands went to her chest. "What in the world?"

"Open it up."

Chichi opened the latch with a quiet click and lifted the lid. Her mouth fell open. The dragon balls' glow danced in her eyes. Her eyes welled up again, a hand going up to cover her open mouth as her gaze darted to meet mine.

I reached over the chest and brushed a strand of hair out of her face. "I want you to wish for whatever you want, Chi. Happy Valentine's Day. Sorry I missed so many."

Tears rolled down her cheeks.

I moved the chest aside and scooted up to her. I wiped her tears away.

Chichi wrapped her arms around me. "Just having you home is enough."

Yeah. I definitely missed too many.

[cressasdbfanfics]

Autumn Leaves

Paring: GoChi

Words: 621

Summary: Prompt request for @redaloves. Because Gohan gets to just be a normal kid—to laugh and do something so normal and lighthearted and fun as jumping into a leaf pile.

Prompt: Falling into a leaf pile, pulling the other in with them. 

Prompt list:

https://charomiami.tumblr.com/post/178917849728/autumn-fluff-for-30-days

Fanfiction.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12880761/5/Drabbles-and-Bits

Archive of Our Own: https://archiveofourown.org/works/14100243/chapters/67522319

It was nice to take a few days off from training sometimes—had to because no rest was bad for the body. Gohan especially needed a break. He gave our harsh training with Piccolo his all and I was so proud of him. It was time to take it easy and let our bodies recuperate. Even though we were resting, I could still help Chichi with things she needed done around the house.

Chichi had asked me to rake up the dead leaves right after breakfast. The cool, late autumn breeze stirred the leaves on the ground and pulled the last stragglers from the branches of dormant trees. Raking our forest clearing wasn't too big of a job. I had only been working for an hour and I was already almost done.

Footsteps crunched through the last of the leaves littering the ground. I knew the warm power I felt before I even looked up. That power belonged to my boy.

"Wow, Dad! That pile of leaves is twice as tall as you!" said Gohan with a giggle.

I chuckled as I leaned my rake against a tree. I ruffled Gohan's long, thick hair. "Pretty close! And there's one more just like it on the other side of our house!"

Gohan's mouth fell open. He took a breath, his eyes lighting up. "Can I—"

"Gohan," said Chichi as she approached from the direction of our house. "Have you finished your math lesson?"

Gohan twiddled with his thumbs and averted his gaze.

Chichi crossed her arms and leveled a hard stare down at him. "Then what are you doing out here?"

"It's just…" Gohan's eyes darted up to meet hers a moment before they settled on the ground again. "Some of the equations are kind of hard," he murmured.

Chichi's stern frown melted away as she ran her fingers through his long hair. "Oh, you need a little break, don't you?"

At Gohan's nod and big, hopeful eyes, Chichi said, "Okay."

Gohan turned his bright eyes to me.

I smiled as I twitched my head toward the mountain of dead leaves. Gohan dove into the pile with a gleeful laugh. The pile swallowed him up as leaves exploded out and rained down around Chichi and me.

"You know you'll have to do all that work over again," she said, her eyes on the constantly shifting pile.

I chuckled. "It's worth it."

"Mom! Dad! Jump in!" called Gohan's voice from somewhere in the huge mound.

Chichi scoffed lightly with a small shake of her head but what I could see of her eyes sparkled. "Oh, it's been a while."

It had been a while. The last time we dove into leaves together, Gohan was little more than a toddler. It was before Raditz showed up, before things got crazy. I took a step back and slid sideways behind her, my feet crunching through the leaves. Chichi's feet shifted, one sliding back as her face turned toward me. She was onto me.

"Goku—?"

Chichi squealed as I scooped her up and laughed as we jumped into the pile of dead brown leaves feet first. The heap swallowed us up. It was pitch black in the heart of the leaf pile but I could see fine. I reached through the dry leaves toward Gohan's warmth. My hand brushed what felt like a pant leg. I grabbed and pulled. Laughing, Gohan tumbled into Chichi's lap. Chichi's musical laugh carried over the dry rustle of the leaves. I wrapped my arms around them both and laughed, too.

Yeah, it was nice to be home.

[cressasdbfanfics]

Pumpkin Carving Cut

Paring: GoChi

Words: 1520

Summary: Prompt request for @redaloves off a Fall Prompts. Set between the end of DB and beginning of Z. Hope you like! Hurt/Comfort... literally? idk lol Also a touch of angst

Prompt: An injury occurs while carving pumpkins. 

Prompt list: https://sunkisseddreamer.tumblr.com/post/630780670662361088/fall-prompt-list-i-made-this-specifically-for

Fanfiction.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13724150/1/Pumpkin-Carving-Cut

Archive of Our Own: https://archiveofourown.org/works/27110491

It was only the beginning of fall and the temperature was already dropping. It was cool enough I gave Chichi my jacket as we walked home along the forest path from our late afternoon shopping trip to the nearby village.

Chichi sighed as we stepped inside our house. She carried her shopping bags into the kitchen while I set down our large pumpkins we bought and made a fire for her. Chichi liked a fire going. It helped keep the house warm—especially through the night as the weather cooled off.

I followed the warm glow of her ki into the kitchen. Chichi unpacked the pumpkin carving tools she bought on the table, arranging them in a neat row. Chichi added some of our knives to the selection. Some I recognized—like the serrated knife I used to clean the giant fish I caught in the river.

"Bring the pumpkins to the table, please," said Chichi with a glance my way. "I'd help you but…" one of her hands settled on her stomach.

I touched her shoulder. "Yeah… remember what that old lady said when she came to see you yesterday."

Her gaze darted over to meet mine again. She nodded with a quiet hum and a glow in her eyes. "Yeah, I know. No heavy lifting."

Chichi smiled like that a lot lately. I couldn't take my eyes off her when she did that. The old lady told me I was supposed to take extra good care of Chichi in the coming months because our lives were about to change.

Chichi giggled. "The pumpkins, Goku."

I rubbed the back of my neck. "Heh. Right."

I brought the pumpkins to the kitchen for her. The pumpkins weren't heavy at all to me. The guy in the village who sold them to us said they were twenty pounds each but I hardly felt the weight. I liked the big ones and Chichi agreed. She also bought several little pumpkins for a pie later.

I looked back and forth between the steak knife in my hand and the pumpkin on the table, wondering where to start. Maybe Chichi knew what to do. She knew lots of stuff. Knife in hand, Chichi made her first few careful cuts around the stem with her tongue between her teeth and her eyebrows bunched together. She looked so cute like that I couldn't help but chuckle.

Chichi's knife froze as her startled gaze darted to meet mine. Her eyes lit up with her light giggle as she set her knife on the table. "Heh… I haven't done one of these since I was a kid. My dad wouldn't let me use the knife, anyway."

"My grandpa didn't let me do the cuttin', either," I said with a twitch of my shoulders. I set my knife down. "We only did this a couple times before he died."

Chichi touched my hand and my heart did a funny sort of flutter at the contact. "Then how about we figure this out together?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

I pressed the knife's blade in the pumpkin's hard flesh next to the stem and copied Chichi's sawing motions all the way around the top of the pumpkin. Her cuts were neater and more even than mine but I got the job done. I popped the top off with a squelching sound and a clump of yellow stringy stuff with seeds came free.

"We have to scoop out all the pulp and seeds, now." Chichi tapped the small plastic mixing bowl between us with the flat side of her knife. "Put them in here and I'll roast them. We'll have pumpkin seeds and a pie later."

I grinned and nodded.

Chichi set down her knife and pushed her sleeve further up her elbow. She reached inside the pumpkin and wrinkled her nose. Chichi plopped the first handful of stringy seeds in the bowl and pulled out the next handful. I cleaned out the mushy insides of my pumpkin, too.

"Hey, look. My hands are orange!" I said as I held them up.

Chichi showed me her orange hands, too. We both laughed.

Chichi cut out a neat triangle near the top of the pumpkin. She said that was an eye. I did my best to copy what she did but my eye just looked angry. I had a little more luck with the second eye. Chichi punched out a smaller triangle for a nose below and in between her pumpkin's eyes.

Chichi rose from her seat for a better angle and tipped the pumpkin over so its face looked up at her. "Now for the jack-o-lantern's smile."

I frowned as I sliced through my pumpkin, trying to keep the cuts a little neater than my pumpkin's jagged eyes. My pumpkin's nose actually looked like a triangle.

I smiled as I turned to Chichi. "Hey! I—"

Chichi looked at me, her eyes lighting up. Her hand slipped down the knife's handle, down to the serrated blade stuck half way out of her pumpkin, and the light in her eyes vanished. My heart missed a beat. Chichi recoiled with a yelp, pulled her hand into her body.

I jumped from my chair, my heart pounding in my throat. "Chichi!"

Deep red blood oozed through her fingers, her face screwed up with pain.

I touched her wrist. "Can I look?"

Chichi nodded and let me tug her trembling hand away from her body. I opened her delicate fingers as gently as I could. Chichi sucked a breath in through her teeth. My gut clenched at the sight of the bloody gash across her palm.

I grabbed one of the clean wet rags Chichi left on the table and wiped away some of the blood from her hand. "I'm going to put a little pressure on the cut, okay?"

Another nod.

Chichi whimpered as I pressed the rag into her hand. I took her good hand and guided it to the damp rag covering the gash. "Keep pressure on that. I'm going to find you a bandage."

"Try under the sink in our bathroom," Chichi said through her teeth.

I nodded once, the movement stiff, and rushed down the hall.

In our bathroom, I dropped to my knees in front of the cabinet beneath the sink and threw it open.

I growled. "Too many boxes."

I tossed aside cleaning supplies, small boxes of stuff Chichi needed around, and finally found the box of bandages in the back of the cabinet. I slammed the cabinet door shut and hurried back to Chichi waiting for me in the kitchen.

Chichi stood at the sink where she did her best to clean the yellow pumpkin goop off her hands and away from the cut. Chichi turned off the water and held her palm toward me. My gut clenched all over again my gaze settled on her cut, there because I distracted her. Chichi was hurt and it was my fault.

"It's not bleeding anymore," said Chichi.

Her tone was almost reassuring—if she didn't still sound like she was in pain.

I grabbed a clean towel and blotted her hand dry, being careful not to make her cut bleed again or cause her more pain than she was already in. I tore open the thin paper packet and exposed the sticky bandage. I pressed it on the cut on her hand. I blew out a breath as the tension I didn't know I held onto faded from my muscles.

My shoulders slumped and I hung my head. "Chichi. I'm… I'm sorry. I'm supposed to take care of you but…"

A light touch settled on my chin and tilted my face up to meet her gaze. Chichi was smiling. It was my fault she got hurt and she was smiling at me.

"I'm okay, sweetheart," said Chichi. "I don't think it's that deep, anyway."

Chichi pushed herself up to her tiptoes and pressed her lips to mine. Chichi turned and walked to the table, taking her seat at her pumpkin. I just stared at her. She was bleeding because of me just a minute before and she wasn't even mad about it.

Chichi glanced at me, giggled as she picked up her knife. "Well? Aren't we going to finish carving these pumpkins?"

I felt my lips twitch up as I nodded. "Sure."

All we had left to do was give our pumpkins mouths. Chichi worked carefully, making sure she didn't open up her cut again and I helped her when she needed it. When we were done, Chichi's pumpkin looked happy and bright. Mine just looked like a monster with a creepy, jagged smile. We laughed at it. That night, we lit candles inside them and turned out the lights.

Where Chichi's jack-o-lantern casted a warm, inviting glow, mine just looked even more creepy. We laughed some more. Chichi's eyes reflected the jack-o-lanterns' warm glow and drew me in. Chichi leaned toward me. I touched her cheek and pressed my lips to hers, humming at the contact. It was nice having someone to share this with.

[cressasdbfanfics]

One More Day

Paring: GoChi

Words: 937

Summary: Goku and Chichi watch one last sunset together before it's time to go face Cell. Inspired by a song.

Fanfiction.net: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13714366/1/One-More-Day

Archive of Our Own: https://archiveofourown.org/works/26876941

+++

The sunsets in our area were always breathtaking. Chichi and I had an amazing view, perched high up on a branch in the giant apple tree near our house. Watching sunsets never got old but, for once, I wasn't paying very much attention to it. Chichi's head was bowed and her long hair, let down from her usual tight bun, concealed her face. Her hands wrung at the wrinkled fabric of her dress. The next day's battle against Cell loomed over us both.

I turned my gaze up toward the sky and the first of the night's stars. Maybe after the battle, I wouldn't have to give her reason to worry so much about Gohan and me. I could stay home more like I used to before everything got crazy and maybe even get that job like I promised her when I recovered from that heart virus.

I nodded to myself. Yeah.

Chichi would like that. Maybe it was time I reminded her of that promise. Maybe that would even get a smile out of her.

"After Cell's dead, I'll get that…" the words died in my throat at the sight of the tears gathering in her dark eyes when she looked at me.

I touched her cheek and brushed Chichi's tears away with my thumb. She threw her arms around me and buried her face in the crook of my neck. I pulled her onto my lap and hugged her as tight as I dared. Her shoulders trembled.

I had done a pretty good job of keeping Chichi and Gohan relaxed—at least I had up to the last sunset before the upcoming fight against Cell. I couldn't ignore it anymore, couldn't put it out of my head. I pressed my face into her soft, dark hair and breathed in the mild, floral scent of Chichi's lavender shampoo. Chichi told me once that the smell of lavender helped her relax. Between Chichi's arms wrapped around my shoulders and the calming scent of her lavender shampoo, the knot in my stomach eased.

"Everything'll be fine, Chi," I said.

Chichi pulled back just far enough to stare me hard in the eye, her hands fisted in the fabric of my orange and black jacket. She didn't believe me. I looked out toward the landscape from our high perch without really taking any of it in. I wasn't sure I believed the words I said. What if we didn't win? I shook my head. No. I couldn't let myself go there—especially not with Chichi.

Chichi's wide-eyed gaze drifted somewhere off to the side. She kept her white-knuckled grip on my jacket. She chewed on her lower lip, her eyes wide. It wasn't worry in her eyes anymore. It was fear and it hurt to see.

We had to win. Our amazing son held the power to finish Cell off for good. I believed Gohan could do it.

I got her attention with a simple, soft touch on her cheek. Wide, red eyes darted to meet mine.

"We'll win, Chi. I know we will," I said, more sure of myself—and my plan.

I reached over my head and plucked a red, plump apple off a branch. I held it out for Chichi. "Remember when we had apples together when we were kids?"

Chichi let out a noise somewhere between a laugh and a sob. She nodded. Her shaky hands fell away from my jacket as she accepted her apple.

I picked one for me and took a big bite out of it. I hummed at its sweet flavor. I finished it off and reached for another.

"You just ate," she said with a shake of her head, her long, glossy hair shining in the light of the rising full moon. Chichi bit into her apple.

I chuckled and said with my mouth full, "Well, this is just dessert."

Chichi sighed but her eyes crinkled. "Oh, what am I going to do with you?"

I took her hands in mine. "There's that smile."

That's what I wanted to see—what I needed to see. I could carry that soft smile of hers into the next day's battle. I knew I didn't have what it took to beat Cell but I would try anyway.

For the first time that evening, I looked out at the sky and the landscape and actually saw. Watched the sunset's colors fade and night take over. Watched the stars appear.

Chichi turned to look at me. Something shimmered in the corners of her eyes under the bright light of the night's full moon. I touched her cheek and felt moisture under my fingers. There was only one way I could think of to distract her—and me, too.

I drew her face to mine and we shared a soft kiss in the giant apple tree near our home. That soft kiss turned deeper and left us both breathless. I hugged her against me. Chichi giggled as we slid off the branch and floated down toward our picnic blanket below. Chichi pressed her lips to mine midflight and it was all I could do to make sure the landing was gentle enough to not hurt her.

On our soft picnic blanket under the giant apple tree, I showed Chichi how much she meant to me. Just one night left and I tried not to think of the very real possibility it was our last. I just wish we had one more day together, but then that would never be enough. It would just leave me wishin' still for one more day with her.