Work Text:
“Working late again?”
Gohan paused, lifting his hands off the keyboard. The screen kept typing, frantically trying to keep up with his last input.
Videl, leaning against the door, gave a shake of her head. “That’s three times this week, Gohan.”
He sighed, pushing his laptop to the side. “I know. I thought we’d have the ki implementation ready for testing by now. But there’s so much variance between people. I need to find a way to account for that. And th e entomologists at Satan City University want my report on the breeding habits of Mount Paouz’ breeds of—“
“Gohan. You always have a million excuses.” The frustration was clear in her voice. “I know your job is important to you and I know you love dropping all this new research on people but what about Pan?”
An ache rose in his gut. “Is she doing okay at school?”
Sharpness cut him from Videl’s glare. “You’re her father. Shouldn’t you know that?”
He stood. “That’s not fair and you know it!”
“Isn’t it?” She pushed off the wall. “Your work could wait a half hour here and there. It’s not like we’re dependent on it.”
Shame coursed Gohan’s body. Sure, he knew they had plenty of money but his job was to provide. That’s what he was trying to do. What any father would do! Why was she—
“And even if we were,” Videl went on. “It wouldn’t ruin your work to take time away from it!” She crossed the room, planted her hands on either side of the computer and looked her husband in the face, “I love you, Gohan. So does Pan. But we need to see you! You’re starting to look like a pasty ghost.”
Gohan looked down. He supposed he was a bit pale. But there wasn’t much left to do. “I promise, soon as these deadlines are done…”
He needed her to understand. Did she think he’d rather be doing this than spending time with them? But deadlines didn’t just go away—
Sighing, Videl pushed back. “You support me with what I like to do. And I’ll support you. But you need to be here to appreciate it.”
“I am. And I—“
Videl made her way to the door. “Your parents and Goten are coming tomorrow. Wanted to do a picnic while the weather’s nice. Try to at least make an appearance.”
She shut the door harder than she needed to.
OOO
“Uncle Goten! Play! Catch me!”
Goten grinned, levitated a bit, and asked, “You think you can outrun me?”
Pan stomped her foot. “No flying. Not fair!”
Dropping back to the ground, Goten ruffled her hair, “Okay, okay. No flying. But you better move quick then!”
With a squeal, Pan took off across the yard before darting behind ChiChi as she carried a basket to the table set up out front. “Save me, Grandma!”
ChiChi laughed, scooping the girl up into her arms. Pan squealed in delight. “Of course! No one will touch my darling granddaughter!” She glanced about “Goku!”
The man turned, having set a huge stack of meat and fish down (with a swiped apple in his mouth) “Mm?”
“Granddaughter to protect!” Tossing Pan lightly to the air, Pan screeched in delight as Goku easily caught her.
Goten pouted. “Hey! No fair!”
Grinning, Goku called out, “Hey Nimbus!”
The loyal golden cloud popped out from around the mountains and Goku tossed Pan upward.
She landed with a soft oof and giggled.
Goku pointed to the distance. “Nimbus, don’t let Goten catch you!”
In a spur of golden trails, the cloud sped off, Goten in pursuit, though hardly using his full speed. The whole while Pan screeched in utter ecstasy.
ChiChi approached. “What if she falls?”
Videl chuckled. “Then, if she doesn’t catch herself, her Uncle Goten will. I’ve no doubt.”
ChiChi relaxed a bit, though still with a hint of protectiveness, and looked around. “Where’s Gohan?”
Videl turned sour. “In his office. He practically lives there lately.”
Goku eyed her. “Doesn’t he play with Pan or spoil you?”
“Sometimes.” She shrugged. “I’m trying to understand him but I just don’t. I know he likes his research but it’s not like we’re dependent on it. But he’s always stressing over this job or that deadline and I miss him. We both do.”
ChiChi sighed. “The downsides of a prestigious job. And Gohan’s akways been stubborn. That’s my fault, I suppose.”
“Lemme talk to him.” Goku stretched, folding his hands behind his back. “Too much of anything is bad, even training!” He eyed the picnic. “Leave us something though?”
ChiChi gently punched his arm. “We won’t eat without you, Silly! Besides, Pan is going to keep Goten going for a while. Wouldn’t be right to eat without him either.”
Goku nodded and rubbed Videl’s head, just a little, much like he did with his own children. “He’s just a bit too overwhelmed. I’ll set him straight. He usually listens to me.”
Videl nodded, with a smile. “I hope so. I’d like my husband back.”
Turning, Goku made his way inside, following the familiar ki signature through the hallways.
OOO
“No.” Gohan spoke firmly. “No, I can’t rush that deadline. I’m already doing the best I can!”
Goku slipped around the doorframe, making his way inside. “Hi, son!” His ears caught snippets of the other side of the conversation and he didn’t like it.
Gohan turned and despite being frazzled, seemed relieved. “Look, my father and mother just arrived. I have to go. I’ll get you the research as soon as I can.” Hanging up, Gohan sank into his desk chair. “Sorry.”
“Who was that? They were sure rude. You’re not lazy.” Goku frowned. His Gohan was a lot of things but not lazy. “Why don’t they do it if it’s so important?”
Gohan laughed finally. “Because they can’t. They don’t understand the animals out here. It’s why they need me and my observations.”
“Well, why don’t you take a break and come join us outside? I bet your brother is gettin’ tired, running after Pan!”
Gohan looked at his father, longing in his eyes. “I want to. But I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Too many deadlines. I’ve got people calling me about the ki experiments, about the breeding data, about—“
“Tell ‘em to wait.” Goku said simply. “You deserve time for you too.”
“Too risky.” Gohan confessed, looking at the charts on his laptop. “Took me forever to get a partnership with these researchers. They get to call the shots.”
“So, tell them no and that you’ll do the research without them.”
Gohan stared at his father. “Dad…do you know what’s required for research?”
“Nope.” He admitted. “But I know Bulma could and would help you if you needed it. No reason to let people boss you around like this.” He frowned. “It’s not right.”
“Maybe not but I have to deal with it-“
“No you don’t.” Goku flopped down on the desk. “Gohan, why are you killing yourself over this?”
“I’m a husband and a father, Dad!”
“…so am I.”
Gohan heaved a sigh. “I know. But I have to provide for them! For Videl and Pan.” He became frantic, almost panicking. “I can get a good foundation with companies and Pan can use that later. I can get a good reputation in case Pan needs connections when she goes to college. There’s lots of great people in academic circles that would give Pan the boost into a high end job.”
Goku blinked once, twice. Gently, he put a finger over his babbling son’s lips. “Little man. She’s three. Just slow down.”
Gohan, to his credit, stopped.
“You all got enough money without all this. You’re supposed to be having fun with your research and studying.” Goku poked a finger at the younger man’s neck. It was hard as a rock. “This ain’t fun.”
“But I have to provide somehow! It’s my job! What kind of father would I be?”
Goku interrupted. “Do you think I was a bad dad?”
Shock rushed Gohan’s body, making him go rigid. “What? No! You’re a great dad, Dad. I don’t care what anyone else thinks! They didn’t see what I saw! You’re the best dad in the world!”
“But I didn’t have an office job.”
“No but you brought food from the mountain, made sure we were protected and you made me feel loved!” Gohan stood. “That’s what I remember!”
Goku stood too. “So, what if that’s the kinda providing you do too? You’re in a better place your mom and I were. All this stuff…” he waved at the computer. “It’s supposed to be fun. If you don’t meet a deadline, no big deal. You, Pan and Videl have a house, food. You’re safe.”
Gohan bit his lip.
“Take it from someone who knows, Son.” Goku closed the laptop and opened the window. Pan had returned and was now rushing between her mother and grandmother, trying to avoid being caught by her Uncle, laughing all the while. “You’re gonna miss this.”
Gohan joined him, looking outside.
“Sometimes I wake up and I still can’t believe I’m a Grandpa.” Goku smiled. “Feels like you should still be little, chasing bugs. Well, guess you kinda do.”
They both shared a laugh.
“It goes fast, son. Faster than you think it will. Not saying the…connections…and stuff aren’t important but what do you remember the most when you were a kid. I’m betting it’s not the studying or the schools or anything like that.”
Gohan closed his eyes. “I remember you and Mom. Even if the world was in crisis, I could go to you or Mom. You always made everything okay again.” He shook his head. “I was happy.”
“Don’t you think that’s what Pan and Videl want too?”
Gohan was silent a moment then turned to his father. “I want it too.”
“Then go get it.” Goku pulled the man into a tight hug. “You get too high strung sometimes. If these researchers get all mad at you, fine. Bet Bulma has better people anyway. They need you more than you need them. What good is all this work if you don’t getta enjoy life, eh?”
Gohan looked out the window. Pan was still laughing, running through the bushes, attempting to hide. “Yeah. And I don’t wanna miss this.”
OOO
“Gotcha!”
Pan screeched when someone from behind snagged her and tossed her into the air. As she focused on who managed to get the drop on her senses, she beamed. “Papa!”
Gohan settled her on his shoulder and walked toward the gathering, Goku just behind him. He took Videl by the shoulders and gave her a kiss. “Sorry. I got a little…hardheaded. Lost sight of things.”
Videl smiled. “You finally taking a break?”
“A long one. I’m cancelling my contracts with those labs. Dad’s right. If they can’t realize I have a life…I’m doing all the work. What do I need them for? I’ll finish my research myself and then find partners.”
Videl hugged him tight. “You know…we could help with that. Your research.”
“Oooh!” Pan grinned, leaned over. “Papa, we could help track down the Paozu spider! I know where it lives!”
Gohan laughed. “I bet you do, little lady.” He ruffled her hair, then turned when he felt someone do the same to him. Giving his father a grateful gaze, he said.
“Let’s finish this picnic first. Then you and I can chase Uncle Goten!”
“Hey!”
Gohan took a plate from his mother, gently pushed his brother and sat down on the grass, letting Pan remain on his shoulders, despite her dropping crumbs of rice and vegetables all over his hair.
She found it hilarious.
“I don’t wanna miss this.”