Chapter Text
Seeing Gohan Son for the first time, Videl just knew there was something off about him.
He was obscenely tall (ok, yeah fine, many people were taller than her), waaaaaay too muscled and well-defined (N-not that Videl was watching! Or even cared!), and he was…just so strange! He never sweat during gym class (or even seemed out of breath), never engaged in any "locker room chat" with the rest of the hormonal teenage boys (ok, Videl actually appreciated this one), was ranked number 1 in the whole school (though Videl heard rumors that he was even ranked highest in the region), his appetite was enormous, ravenous even, and finally, he could just...disappear.
It was by far the strangest thing. Videl would be tracking him down the halls, down alleys, up and down stairs, hot on his heels, and then...nothing. It was like he just vanished into thin air.
She swore Gohan Son had something to do with the Golden Fighter and Saiyaman's appearance in the city, but she had no proof, just a feeling. But her instincts were always dead on! This was one of the reasons she was the ace of the police squad, after all!
She did see some of the awkwardness of Gohan Son in Saiyaman, the way neither seemed to understand what was "cool" and, granted, while Saiyaman had those dorky gestures and poses (seriously where did he even learn those???) and he had a brown furry tail under his cape, Gohan Son was just completely oblivious to everything, and didn't have a tail (or so he claimed! And none of the other boys seemed to ever remember him changing, but Gohan was always in his gym uniform for gym and then in his normal student clothes for the rest of his classes seemingly out of nowhere).
Saiyaman was always catching bullets with his bare--gloved--hands, and able to fly around, and lift, well, anything with practiced ease. Gohan, however, aside from taking one of Sharpner's fast balls straight to the face without so much as blinking or bruising, and then leaping 12 feet in the air to catch on otherwise home run hit...
Wait, no, all of those things did make him insanely suspicious, even as he laughed it off as "lucky" or "beginner's luck." His laughter was even as suspicious as it was awkward and forced.
Ok, sure, homeschooled kids weren’t brought up with the usual social norms, so Videl could excuse some of the weird awkward quirks about him (And no, she did not think it was cute the way he blushed and got flustered when corrected), but the fact that he sometimes made chirping noises when he was happy, or soft subtle whines when sad (or flustered, or guilty), or weird throatclicking sounds when he was deep in thought, was definitely strange and weird.
Videl, naturally curious and inquisitive and detail-oriented at heart (and suspicious and nosy), wanted to pick apart this guy. Just why was he so…weird? He always seemed confused when he was getting picked on, like he didn’t even know how odd he was (Videl had to put a stop to that—listen, her sense of justice couldn’t tolerate anyone picking on anyone, ok? Not just because it was Gohan Son!) a girl would flirt with him (Videl was not jealous, ok?!) and he wouldn’t seem to understand what was happening, and then suddenly, he would scrunch his face, and then get up and leave with only a flimsy explanation.
(Videl was glad he never did that with her.)
Anyway, there was only so much the "home schooled" excuse could buy.
And Videl hated people who were liars, and though everyone else was fooled by the naive, innocent Gohan Son, Videl knew better. She was 1000% convinced he was hiding not only was he the Great Saiyaman, but...something else. Something she would definitely find out.
In those rare moments early in their cat-and-mouse-relationship, when she could get close to him (without him backing away or scurrying away from her, the slippery weasel), she could make out the dark, dark, almost black of his irises, and the way his pupils seemed cat-like at rest, almost slitted. "A birthmark," he claimed--yeah, right. But when he was studying something he found fascinating, his eyes would dilate so much that his eyes would turn black, well, blacker than normal, as his pupils seemed to swallow up the rest of his eyes.
When she would catch him eating his ginormous, but delicious-looking meals, and lean in close, juuuuust close enough when he was fully distracted by his meal, she could see his teeth. His canines were more pronounced, a little sharper than normal, and the rest of his teeth (Well, Videl couldn't see all the way back to his molars) appeared sharper than the normal as well. Pre-molars and incisors came to definite points, slicing into his food with practiced ease. Sometimes he barely chewed, his food sliding easily down his throat whole. Erasa and Sharpner would recoil in disgust--"Ew brains, chew your food!" "Yikes! Gohan, how can you do that?!"--but it fascinated Videl in a strange way it was definitely very odd.
Wait, can she talk about that real quick? His meals were always HUGE. And yet, once he was done shoveling it all into his face (somehow with excellent and polite table manners), a normal person would have been positively round from stuffing themselves silly, and yet, Gohan barely had a pooch to his belly after his meal.
And when Videl rounded on him about this, and asked about his diet, or about what workout routine he used to work off all of the calories,
"Squats." He told her, his voice cracking, an obvious lie.
"Squats?" Videl pressed, eyes narrowed, arms folded impatiently.
"Y-yup, lots of squats." Gohan doubled down, not making eye contact.
Gohan was literally saved by the school bell ringing, and skittered ahead to his next class--one that he shared with Videl, so no way he was getting out of this one.
But then, the next day and the day after, Gohan brought way smaller meals, only about double the size of what Videl and Sharpner ate. And no, it did not assuage any of Videl's suspicions, not when she could sometimes hear what she could have sworn was his stomach growling in the classes after lunch. (Which just made her even saltier that he would hide something that desperately--even to his own detriment.)
But also, no matter how much he disguised his voice, she could hear the gentle baritone behind all of the "heroic" bluster of Saiyaman. No matter how much Gohan and Saiyaman insisted they were in fact, not one and the same, the more it aggravated Videl--how dare he lie to her? She'd show him! She'd uncover the truth and spit it back in his dumb stupid (handsome) face!
Videl’s suspicions were well-founded (and correct! Ha!) When she tore off the bandage on his face and saw the scar there, plain as day. The exact same cut Saiyaman had received the day before.
(She saw her chance, plain as day, and grabbed it. Who could blame her for taking this chance to get closer to Gohan Son?)
“So, Saiyaman.” Forgive her if she wasn’t able to keep the triumphant smirk out of her voice.
“L-look, Videl, th-there’s a good reason—“ He sputtered in that usual way of his, whines trapped behind his throat that he was obviously trying to suppress. Videl wouldn’t fall for whatever excuse he would give.
She leveled a piercing gaze at him, eyebrow raised.
Gohan’s entire body slumped; he knew he was caught.
“I-I can explain…” His voice was small, and he looked like he was readying himself for a verbal lashing, like Videl would tear him apart. Or reject him. Like revealing this part of himself was akin to having his whole identity destroyed.
Against her will, her heart lurched. Did he think she was going to hurt him? She swallowed thickly, mind reeling—
"The martial arts tournament coming up. You're going to join." Apparently her heart didn't lurch enough to prevent her from blackmailing him.
"Wh-what?!" Gohan blanched. "B-but!"
"And," Videl folded her arms, gaze sharpening. "You're going to teach me how to fly like you."
There was a momentary shift in Gohan's gaze and demeanor, like he was sizing her up; his gaze became almost predatory. Then it was suddenly gone, leaving Videl to question if what she saw was even real.
"Videl, look, I--" Gohan's voice tried, falteringly to argue. But Videl would not let up. She glared up at him, then sighed, in faux resignation.
"Well, fine then. Go ahead and refuse." Videl sighed, starting to walk away. Gohan relaxed a hair behind her. "I'll just have to tell everyone who you are, Saiyaman."
"W-wait, Videl! You can't!" Gohan was suddenly in front of her, hunched down to be at eye level, pleading in his eyes and voice. A small whine escaped his throat. "I-I'll enter the tournament. And I'll teach you, ok?"
Videl beamed. Got him.
Videl was at his house early the next day, not wanting him to slip away. Videl had such a crimefighter 'Justice for all' attitude, and an all-around decent person reputation, that of course the school office would willingly hand over Gohan's address to her with no questions asked. (Videl would not feel guilty of taking advantage of her status like this. No, nope, nosiree. No guilty conscience here.)
But he came out, dressed in an indigo gi with a red sash, red wristbands...interesting choice of shoes, and...nothing else underneath. Holy shit, the guy really was yoked. (She was NOT drooling, thank you.)
Then suddenly, hiding behind Gohan's leg, was a little kid, wearing an orange and blue gi, different in style from Gohan's. His bright eyes peered up at her as he stepped out from behind the taller boy. He gave her a small wave.
"Uh, hi." Videl waved awkwardly at the kid, then looked to Gohan. "Who's this?"
"This is Goten, my little brother." Gohan scratched the back of his head. "I'll, uh, be training him too."
(Videl felt something that almost felt like jealousy coil inside--she had thought it'd be just the two of them, damn)
"Goten, this is Videl, my, uh, friend from school." There was a small strain in his voice that Videl did not miss. (As if she wouldn't know why.) "Oh, and, I know he looks shy right now, but give him 10, maybe 15 minutes, and he'll open up. He's a real ball of energy." Gohan chuckled warmly.
Videl...had never seen him laugh before, it was...cute--
"So, ok, he's joining, so let's get down to business, already!" Videl huffed impatiently, not wanting her thoughts to tread dangerously.
"Ok." Gohan nodded. "Goten, go stand near Videl." He gently nudged him, and his little brother nodded, before tottering to his place.
Gohan cleared his throat, hands on his hips.
"Ok, you both want to learn how to fly, right?"
Goten's hand immediately shot up. Videl looked over at him, an eyebrow arched.
"Er, yes, Goten?" The elder brother asked.
"Why'd'ya hide yer tail away?" the smaller brother asked, innocently as could be.
Gohan gaped. Videl's eyes snapped over to him.
Right. She remembered. The 'Great Saiyaman' had a tail.
Which meant Gohan did too (unless it was a weird accessory???).
Gohan let out a small sigh--part of a bigger one that he was holding in, and then rubbed the bridge of his nose with his hand.
"Goten." He sighed again. "Remember our discussion from earlier?"
Videl wondered what all was entailed in that discussion (no pun intended).
"Well, ya always say that it aches after ya've had it tucked away, so I don't know why ya'd hide it away. It's not even a school day for ya!" Goten protested, folding his arms and pouting.
"Goten, it's like I told you, not everyone has a tail--"
"Yeah, but Videl's yer friend, so she doesn't mind, right?"
Both boys turned to look at her and she was stock still, Goten's sparkling, trusting eyes, to Gohan's unsure grimace, as if readying himself for Videl's disgust.
(But a chance to see Gohan's tail, his actual tail, hell yeah she didn't mind! Why the hell would she tell him no?)
"I don't mind." Videl stated as neutrally as she could.
"Are you sure?" Gohan asked, so softly, as if he was making sure it wasn't a trap that she was about to unleash upon him.
"Go for it; doesn't bother me at all. I just want to hurry up and get started." She made her voice as disinterested as she could, because it wasn't like she even cared all that much.
"O-ok." Gohan stated, still a little unsure. He grabbed the hips of his gi--Videl turned away, politely--and after just a little bit of the rustling of clothes, Gohan let out a quite satisfied sigh.
Videl carefully stole a glance at him and, sure enough, a brown fuzzy tail whipped behind him, and Gohan stretched his spine back, his tail arching in a stretch too.
"Thanks, Videl." Videl was unprepared for the sharp-toothed boyish grin he shot her way, and it felt like an arrow through her heart and she shrugged.
"Whatever, but if you're done, train me."
Train her he did, though only after a very awkward moment when it was revealed that Videl had never heard of ki--let alone the manipulation of it--
"Wait, really?" Goten let out, completely gobsmacked. "Even I know about that!"
Videl wanted to glower at him, but she gave him a free pass. After all, she didn't want to confuse his innocence with arrogance. Well, that, and the fact that Gohan seemed particularly fond of his little brother, and didn't seem like he'd appreciate Videl popping him one of the top of his head.
"Well, not everyone does, ok?" Gohan scratched at his cheek. "But, where do I begin? Man, we have a lot more ground to cover."
"Well excuuuse me for not being in the know." Videl glowered, not hiding her obvious sulk. It wasn't often that she came face to face with a new concept, and her pride took a hit.
"N-no! It's not like that!" Gohan stammered, his tail bristling behind him.
"I mean, it's kinda like that..." Goten quietly muttered, poking at the ground with his foot.
Videl shot him a look, and before she could hurl some nasty words at the kid, Gohan graciously intervened.
"Goten, why don't you go play while I get Videl all caught up?" Gohan smiled at his little brother, who, immediately perked up.
"Really?" He gasped in wonder. "All by myself? In the woods? Really?!"
"Yup. I'll tell mom you were right here the whole time." Gohan nodded, then crossed his arms, tail making slow and low sweeps behind him. "But you gotta promise me two things: no getting into trouble, and if I call you, you better come right here, pronto." Gohan leveled a serious tone at him.
"Ok! Ok! Promise!" Goten was practically jumping up and down
"Ok, it's a deal." Gohan agreed, and the two brothers shook hands on it. Then, like a bolt of lightening, Goten dashed off--he was there one second, and then a long lengthy trail of dust was the only thing signifying he had run off.
Videl's mouth hung open, against her wishes--just how fast was the kid?! Why wasn't Gohan reacting at all...unless this is normal for the guy.
"What'd I tell you? A ball of energy." Gohan chuckled again, fondly, and turned back to Videl, and then froze, his tail also stiffening behind him. "W-well, uh, let's get stated, shall we?" Gohan quickly changed the conversation and strode over to her, then plopped onto the grass. "Come sit."
Videl stared down at him, debating on whether she wanted to ask why the hell is his little brother was so damn fast, but then weighing how much time that would waste and delay her training even more--fuck it. She plopped down as well, legs crossed, mirroring his posture.
"Why are we sitting down?" Videl at least had to ask. Shouldn't they be up on their feet, throwing punches, dodging kicks, going over katas?
"It's easier to learn how to manipulate ki if you're relaxed." Gohan offered with a small smile. "Now, your forms are pretty good, and you already have a decent amount of ki--"
"Wait, wait." Videl waved her hand at him. "What do you mean I 'have a decent amount of ki?' Pfft, what, like you can feel it?"
"Well, yeah." Gohan admitted, as if it were obvious. "When you can manipulate ki, you can sense it from others as well. And you can learn to suppress it so others can't sense you."
There was something about Gohan's totally nonchalant admission that unnerved her.
"You can sense...others?"
"Yeah!"
"Like...how?" Videl could not help but ask, though she knew she would not like the answer.
"Well," Gohan thought for a moment, then pointed between them off into the forest. "I can feel Goten about seven miles to the east of us," then he pointed at the house. "And I know my mom is inside the house. I can feel their energies if I focus."
"So you can sense...not only where someone is, but who they are?" Oh, Videl would reeeeeally not like this answer...
"Yeah." Gohan simply stated. "But I don't always know who I'm sensing, unless I've met them before. But yeah."
"Is that...is that how you were always on the scene of a crime the moment after I arrived?" please say no, please say no, don't, Gohan, just stay silent.
"Oh yeah, I followed your ki--it's not hard to miss--whenever you left the classroom. I just flew above you so you wouldn't see me." He smiled at her, reassuringly.
(So he followed her ki--no one else's? Her ki. Her ki was hard for him to miss, out of all of the ki, he picked hers, holy shit, she was giddy with the realization.)
"So you were stalking me?" Videl deadpanned, unenthused.
"WHAT? No!" Gohan suddenly stammered. "Th-that's not it at all!" There was a blush to his face as he vehemently rejected the very idea. "Look, let's... let's get back to how to manipulate ki. Here, let me show you..."
Videl was more than happy for the conversation change, only to be blown away by Gohan's ease of ki manipulation--which was both inspiring and immensely frustrating.
It was days and days of Gohan patiently working with Videl to draw out her ki--and dammit, if he hadn't shown her that it was possible, using his own beautiful bright ki, Videl probably would have thrown in the towel, and then socked him in the face.
But there she was, cradled in her hands was her own small and fragile glimmer of ki. Her eyes widened and she felt a tug on the corners of her lips as she stared down at her hands.
"Good, Good!" Gohan spoke to her, excitement oozing from his voice. Videl, eyes focused on the fragile glimmer of light in her hands, brought her eyes up, briefly to look at him. His eyes shone with pride, even though her progress was meager compared to his little brother's, and if it were anyone else, she would have thought she was being patronized. She saw behind him, his tail was high in the air, the tip flicking back and forth quickly.
"Good job, Videl!" and then Gohan chirped. She'd heard it before, but not this close. It was strange, not really a chirp like a baby bird, something lighter and far less gruff than a bark. "You're really doing it!"
And then she heard it from behind too, as the other brother began, too.
"Yay, Videl, yay!" Goten, infected by his big brother's enthusiasm also celebrated her (very meager, in the grand scheme of things) accomplishment, but unlike Gohan, he made far more chirping sounds.
It was surreal, even if she tried, she didn't think she could make the same sounds as the brothers did, not that she wanted to. But in this context, in the fresh air of the mountains, surrounded by the leaves, grass, trees, rocks, and the bright blue sky, it was Videl who felt like the odd one out.
But the brother's mirth was infectious, she found and even as her concentration broke and the ball of light fizzled out, Videl could not help but be proud of her little accomplishment.
"Well, look out, Saiyaman." Videl teased, with no real bite behind her words, as she leaned toward Gohan. "Soon you won't be the only super-powered teenager who can fight crime." She made a show of cracking her knuckles and Gohan chuckled.
"I'll look forward to it." His grin was boyish and innocent as he looked at her, and though his sharp teeth flashed back at her, she couldn't find it in her to be unnerved but rather, it suited him.
Their training was interrupted by Chichi calling them in for lunch, which consisted of a wooden table set outside, covered in what must have been more than a dozen homemade dishes of food. Videl felt herself nearly drooling as she looked upon the smorgasbord. Goten and Gohan's expressions mirrored hers, and all three kids ran to the table, only to be admonished by the Son Matriarch to go wash up before digging in.
When all four were finally seated at the table, Videl watched as Goten chowed down, eating with a feral fervor for the food. She saw Gohan about to do the same, only to catch her eye, and suddenly he stopped.
And damn her, she had really worked him over; he sheepishly ate what he must have thought was a normal-sized portion, only for both his mom and Goten to immediately fly into panic mode, fussing over him, worried he was getting sick if that was all he was willing to eat before he declared himself full.
It dawned on her, Gohan was trying his best all these days to try and appear as normal as possible, even though he was anything but. Of course he wanted to hide the fact that he could fly, eat extremely large portions of food, had a tail, and was ridiculously strong. He loved his family, and they loved him, and he didn't want to stand out, or have anyone notice him, or have anyone come and bother his family.
And then, rather than someone who was maliciously hiding secrets, or someone who was hiding something sinister, it felt like a fog had receded somewhat.
Gohan Son was just a genuinely sweet guy, albeit a little awkward, and had extraordinary abilities that he wanted to use to help others. (E-even still! She wasn't going to feel bad about basically blackmailing him! He still lied to her!)
She really should get to know him more; she knew there was even more to him, but rather than tear the secrets out of him, she wanted him to be comfortable enough to tell her himself. She should apologize to him.
Videl saw the pleading caution in his eyes as he discreetly glanced at Videl. Ah, so she was the reason why he was holding back.
Didn't that make her the asshole, since he had been trying his damndest to be "normal" to her? Hiding his tail, trying not to make those chirping, barking...noises, and now, trying to hide the fact that he had a larger than average appetite? If she hadn't been there, upending his life, he would be free to be himself in his own home. Damn her.
Well, the least she could do was bail him out.
"Yeah," Videl stated as nonchalantly as she could. "You usually eat waaaaay more than that. If you're starving yourself to weasel your way out of training me--remember, you promised--think again, mister."
Gohan just blinked at her, stupefied.
"Besides, this is excellent, Mrs Son--did you make all of this yourself?" Videl made a point not to look at Gohan, as she caught the matriarch's attention, letting her brag on her cooking abilities.
Gohan seemed to get the picture, or maybe saw his chance now that Videl was distracted, as picked back up his eating.
It was...nice, Videl realized later, eating with the Son family. Though Chichi and her got off to a rocky start (Like Videl was trying to seduce Gohan--no way, absolutely not, never in a million years, could not be her, not that she knew how to go about seducing the guy), the woman was a damn good cook and an extremely proud mother. Granted, Chichi made her help with the dishes, and sometimes with the cooking (apparently the boys were not to be trusted in the kitchen), she eventually whole-heartedly gave her blessing for Videl and Gohan to train together. Though, sometimes Videl swore she gave Goten some bullshit task or bit of homework to give the two teens time alone.
Hanging with Chichi wasn't all that bad, she would sometimes speak of the family's history, like how the small house attached to their capsule home was Goku's, her husband, grandfather's original home, the same grandfather who Gohan was named after. Furthermore, both boys took after their dad--insanely huge appetites, airheaded attitudes (Goten more than Gohan), and strength. Chichi revealed that Goku had a tail too, though his was cut off at a young age, which meant that was something Gohan inherited from him too. Goten, however, was born without a tail, which was almost a sore spot for him.
And in one quiet evening, when Chichi had shooed the boys out to go hunting for the meat that would be the main course, the older woman told Videl of how her husband had died when Gohan was just eleven, during an already traumatic event (that she coyly danced around, Videl noticed, but counting the years back, that was right around the time of the monster, Cell’s reign), and how it left an indelible mark on their family, especially Gohan. Gohan had been far more reserved, quiet, and obedient since then, stopping his training and throwing himself into his studies to a point where sometimes he wouldn't eat and would pass out, only to repeat the cycle the next week.
But then Chichi smiled at her, eyes swimming with emotions.
"And then ya showed up, Videl." She sniffled quietly. "And m'boy has been more lively, happier, less reserved; like he's found something to live for again." The wrinkles next to her eyes multiplied as she smiled, no, practically beamed at Videl. "And I think I have ya to thank for all that, Videl."
"Anyway, ya have my permission to marry him, just don't break his heart or I'll come after ya."
"Wait, what--"
But by that time, Goten had accidentally crashed through the front door with such excitement, scaring the shit out of Videl and Chichi alike, as he trekked in dirty water and mud onto the floor and he whooped and hollered, and chirped loudly for everyone to 'come check out what he and big bro caught!!!'
And sure enough, there was a giant fucking fish wrestled into submission in Gohan's grip, who, by the way, was dripping with pond water, algae, and probably what was fish guts, staring agape at the rampant destruction of the front door Goten had accidentally unleashed, tail rigid and bristled in shock, and then to the two women and sheepishly offered, with a few throaty whines,
"We've got dinner?"
But rather than explode, Chichi just sighed and shook her head.
"Gohan, put the fish down, take yer brother and yerself to the bath and get cleaned up, get changed into something presentable, and then come inside and clean up yer mess." Both boys obeyed, looking sheepishly at each other, then their mother, whines low in their throats, as they darted off, knowing better than to protest.
Chichi let out another sigh, this one more fond.
"Boys!" She let out with an exasperated laugh. Then she turned to Videl, "So, ya ever gutted a fish before?"
Videl's days proceeded like that, slowly, painfully slowly getting closer to Gohan, who had finally grown comfortable eating his fill in front of her, leaving his tail unbound, and was even starting to get more comfortable with his odd, animal-like noises. Videl was also growing closer to the family as well, feeling like she'd gained a little brother in Goten, and another mother in Chichi. And…she gained a close friend in Gohan, who, when not training, would show her his favorite views, walk her through the best forest trails, show her the hidden creeks and streams of his home. In return, Videl would bring the family the finest, most interesting foods she could get her hands on (Which absolutely scored her a thousand points from each member of the family).
Sometimes, when he thought she wasn’t paying attention, she could hear a faint rumble emanating from him, and she’d whip her head in his direction, and she’d catch such open affection practically dropping from Gohan’s smile it felt like her heart skipped a beat. Then, they’d both blush and turn away, and neither would acknowledge their shared moment.
(She resolutely did NOT think about how, once Gohan was done training her, she'd lose her reason to keep coming over.)
However, one day in particular rolled around, and Gohan's whole demeanor changed. He got out of bed late, leaving Videl and Goten to practice by themselves, which honestly devolved into Goten showing off his dead bug collection.
Upon his arrival, even the ever-energetic Goten was a little more subdued. When asked why he was so late, he merely grunted and shrugged.
Gohan trained them, but he was quieter, and Videl swore he stared at her the whole time. His tail, sometimes the only portal into his deeper thoughts, was either tightly coiled around his waist, or making slow, methodical sweeps as Gohan would watch her.
Gohan dodged every question Videl leveled at him, quietly insisting she focus on her ki control instead.
He wasn't snippy, nor were his responses sarcastic, but just...curt, and to the point.
His stares though...he would just...look at her for minutes on end, sometimes clenching his fists, sometimes clenching at the fabric of his gi.
When Videl caught his gaze, he didn't pull back, only kept his stare, as if daring her to look away first. Videl did, as a matter of fact, because each one of his silent stares felt so damn...invasive, she almost felt naked in front of him. His eyes were doing that strange dilation thing that they did as if he was looking into her.
(But damn if she didn't like the attention, though it made her squirm.)
The day continued on, neither Goten nor Chichi offering up an explanation for Gohan's odd, well, more odd behavior or even acknowledging it.
Then finally:
"I've gotta go in early." Gohan glanced nervously at the sun beginning to sink below the horizon.
"What? But I'm just now getting the hang of this!" Videl protested. Videl could now hover a few inches off the ground, and he wanted to stop? Well, too bad! She was going to march up to him, grab him by his gi and--
"Videl." Gohan's voice was deep, but an unsettling calm came between them as he leveled both a stern and pleading look at her. His tail was making slow sweeps near the ground, and then would suddenly flick--was he agitated? "I can't stay out late."
(The only time he ever came close to frightening her was in those rare moments when it was just the two of them and she caught him staring at her. His already dark gaze darkened and he would bore into her like he was…measuring her, or trying to see into her. It was equal parts invasive and invigorating and intimate and…scary. She almost felt like prey in front of a large intimidating predator, but how could that be when it was just Gohan? And then he would blush and fluster and apologize and act like his usual self. And Videl would convince herself that no, she did not enjoy his gaze on her, his attention on her. Not at all.)
But his tone left no room for argument, even though she wanted to ask him a million questions, his stare was trying to stop her in her tracks. She felt funny though, his voice and stare sent a shudder through her. As if Gohan could feel it, he stood even more upright, looking down on her with his full height. Hell, the sound of it even stopped Goten in his tracks as he glanced from his brother to Videl, as if waiting for something...or as if even he could pick up on the unsettling tension. She swallowed.
"Then I'll stay, and leave after dinner--"
Gohan cut her off quickly.
"You can't." His eyes were sharp, like blades aimed at Videl, his voice, sharper. This would be the point where he would back down and fluster and stammer apologies, but instead, he stood firm. The sun continued it's trek downwards, and Gohan glanced over at it, as if nervous. The tension eased somewhat, as he turned to look back at her, then began walking back to the house. "You can't stay tonight. Go back home." He paused in the doorway. "We'll see you tomorrow." Then he disappeared into the house, leaving her speechless.
There was a shuffling sound, and then Goten was at her side, gripping around her leg with one arm, while the other was sucking--or biting--at his thumb. The little guy actually seemed like his age in that moment. Should she comfort him? Tell him she's not sure why his big brother started suddenly acting like a jerk? But Goten broke the silence before she could.
"Big bro's not allowed outside after sunset on days like these." He spoke quietly, not looking at Videl. "Momma said so."
The proffered information churned slowly in Videl's head. She ignored how damn cryptic he sounded. Days like these? His mom didn't allow it--she knew he was a momma's boy, but--
"And he always gets weird on these days, too." He added even quieter, though he made a few whimpering sounds.
"Days like these?" Videl finally asked, gently. The little boy nodded slowly.
"Days with a full moon." Goten whispered like it was a forbidden secret. His grip tightened around her calf. "I don't think mom or big bro are gonna tell ya, and I know ya don't like secrets. So I wanna tell ya."
Videl's brows furrowed.
"Momma once told me the full moon makes big bro feel funny. And he doesn't like that. So, he goes t'bed early."
Videl listened intently. What did the moon have to do with anything? (Was Gohan a werewo--nope. Not going there.)
"The full moon makes me feel kinda funny too, but not like Big Bro." His voice was still soft, even as he let out a few soft whines. And then he gazed up at Videl. "But the moon's so pretty and bright. It's a shame big bro never gets to see it."
His eyes were so bright and innocent. Videl wanted to ask more, but suddenly, Chichi was calling for Goten to come home. And as he scampered inside, Videl approached, looking for answers.
Chichi just offered her a small, sad, smile.
"I guess you're not gonna tell me why Gohan's heading in early?" Videl asked quietly, maybe a little hurt that everyone was keeping this a secret from her so fervently.
"That's something for him to tell ya." And then she pulled Videl into a warm embrace. "Give him time, hon, I’m sure he’ll tell ya."
She gave Videl one final shoulder squeeze, bidding her goodnight, so she had no choice but to pop out her jetcopter's capsule and fly home.
(She fought the urge to stalk back over to the house, break down the door to Gohan's room and force the answer out of him, but with how Gohan was acting, she knew that was a step too far. He'd already had enough of his privacy invaded, she couldn't do more to him. That said, if she couldn't act on it, she could at least fantasize about it.)
Videl would get her wish to peel back the many secrets of Gohan, but she didn't know that when she made that wish, it caused the proverbial monkey's paw to curl.
When her body was thrown out of the ring by Spopovich, and she hit the grass, vision swimming, body so wracked with pain that it would not respond to her, she could make out the form of Gohan, or what she thought was Gohan, launching himself toward her. Golden hair shining so bright it seemed to radiate its own energy, and eyes so teal, she doubted the color existed anywhere except in his gaze. A gaze, which, even through her blurry vision, she could tell was sharp, piercing, predatory...alien. Was he...the Golden Fighter...too?
And then he was right beside her, black disheveled hair, black eyes, energy tumultuous and lashing out—except at her. (It nearly took what little breath she has away--it was so much, fuck, his energy felt overwhelming) His energy was nothing but gentle at her, even as he picked her up, he cradled her so gently that her broken body barely even felt it.
“I’ve got you, I’ve got you.” He repeated like a mantra at her, his dark eyes looking into her swollen and bruised ones. She saw her reflection in his eyes--weak, vulnerable, defeated--everything she never wanted him to see. Her damned body would not move, though, she could not escape his sight. Then his head snapped up, looking over her, probably at the ring.
“Spopovich.” He snarled. Actually snarled. Animalistic and seething with rage. “Get ready, because you'll pay for this.” As if that wasn't enough, he growled. Low and feral, his lips pulled back to reveal his sharp teeth, he hovered protectively over Videl and growled at the man.
Videl had never heard him angry before. If her body could move, she might have recoiled from him. She wheezed instead, and Gohan’s glare returned to her, then softened back to his usual face.
“Got you. I’ve got you.” His voice was a soothing whisper, and suddenly she was safe in his arms.
Or, well, as safe as she could be with probably internal hemorrhage and likely more than a dozen broken bones.
“Uh, we can call a stretcher—“ The announcer’s voice filtered in beside them and was quickly cut off by Gohan snapping at him.
“No need. I’ll carry her.” His arms tightened around her, and if everything wasn’t already hurting, that might’ve hurt as well.
Suddenly she was in the infirmary, Gohan fussing over her (She could have sworn she heard him whimper—like a dog?—and make the smallest little whines and chirrups, not even trying to suppress them like he usually did, but that was because her ear drums were both ruptured and from her concussion messing with her head, right?) and for a moment, she swore he was growling to keep everyone away from her.
Don't. She wanted to tell him. Don't look at me like this. Anyone but you, so please go. But instead, she coughed, trying to clear some thick liquid out of her lungs, and damn if that didn't hurt like shit. And damn if that didn't unnerve everyone in the room even more--apparently she had coughed up blood. Oh cool, that was why she wasn't able to breathe well: she was about to drown in her own blood.
And again, probably because she was beaten so hard that something had knocked loose, she heard Gohan snarl even louder, preventing anyone--even her dad, who was now yelling back at him--from coming closer. Damn, she had to admire her dad's tenacity, she thought distantly as her vision darkened in and out of focus, he was ready to throw down with a guy that had him outmatched a million to one, just for his precious baby girl.
Her vision dimmed, and the next part was fuzzy, because a voice called Gohan, and then the growling stopped, and then a dozen hands were upon her, and suddenly her dad's voice yelling her name and the cacophony of a thousand beeping machines filled the air. A bunch of someones were doing...something to her, but she just couldn't care. At least Gohan wasn't about to see her bite the big one after the most humiliating defeat of her life. And her body felt numb, which was fine--it had hurt like hell, and now the voices dimmed, and she was feeling peaceful, like maybe dying wasn't so--
Aaaand then the voices picked back up, crashing noises were heard, maybe a door was ripped in half, she heard her dad screech indignantly and more growling, well, so much for a peaceful quiet death, damn.
Distantly, she registered a familiar voice--Gohan?--begging her to eat something, but no thanks, she was pretty sure her broken jaw and the fact that she was trying to shrug off her mortal coil was preventing her from doing so. And then there was a crunching, or maybe a munching, and then her jaw was gently opened (Good thing she couldn't feel that) and then something shoved to the back of her throat, and then past her epiglottis, then into her esophagus. (Good thing her thoughts were so muddled she wasn't able to tell how gross that was) And then she heard Gohan's voice whimper and something touch her forehead, begging her to swallow. His voice was so damn pitiful--moreso than his usual--that, ok fine, she'd do him this last solid. But he owed her a peaceful rest of her passing.
So with the last bit of strength, she swallowed.
And then it was like something slapped her spirit right out of the sky, smack into her body, and she gasped, her lungs filling with air and expanding ribs that miraculously healed back together--in fact, she could acutely feel all of her fingers and toes working and no longer shredded. All of her pain was gone, hell, even the teeth that were knocked out had just...popped back into existence in her gums! It was like all of her strength and energy came back all at once and her eyes snapped open to see Gohan's eyes opening at hers, joy and relief in equal measure swimming glassily through his dark gaze.
"There," He rumbled (a...purr?), calmly, a whisper meant only for her, as he pulled his forehead from hers. "All fixed up."
As soon as he was out of her space, whatever spell he had on her was broken (hell, no it wasn't) and she sat up, looking down at herself--'all fixed up'--and then back up at Gohan, who was practically vibrating with elation and relief.
"What. the. fuck!?" Videl deadpanned (no pun intended) at him, and everyone else in the room, who seemed just as bamboozled as she was, hell, her dad's jaw was basically scraping the floor it was so dropped.
"Gohan! You're up next!" A voice, Goku's, Gohan's dead dad's voice, filtered into the room and Gohan perked up immediately.
"O-oh right." he chuckled nervously, then looked at Videl, whose mind was stuttering, completely baffled by everything to form any kind of response other than 'what the FUCK.' "I've gotta go, but I'll see you out there?" Suddenly he was blushing, scratching at his cheek sheepishly as his tail, held upright, flicked back and forth.
All Videl could do was nod. Like an idiot.
Then Gohan was gone, and the room erupted into chaos.
"Baby girl, spit out whatever he fed you!" He shouted over at the medics, who were equally losing their shit at Videl, the medical marvel, "You idiots need to pump her stomach right NOW!" and then back to Videl, "Who the HECK even was that?!"
Kami, wouldn't Videl like to know.
And then, of course, because Videl had just cheated death, wouldn't it just make sense that death would come back for her that same day?
She just didn't expect it to be from a pink bubblegum monster, but hell, there were a lot of things that didn't really make sense anymore so who was she to nitpick her own demise?
She just wished she could have seen Gohan one last time, seen his handsome smile, kiss that damn boy's stupid cute face, and...and...
just get to know him better