#gochiweek24

“All these years and you’re still the same, ya gotta learn how to take a break Chi.” Goku chided lightly, a hint of amusement in his voice and pressed a quick kiss to her lips before she had a chance to argue and straightened, heading back into the kitchen where he’d found her, finishing her task of clearing the table and counters before he started on the pile of dishes in the sink.

She was still tempted to argue with him, to insist she was fine, that she was used to the work, but this was one of the few things that he put his foot down over and knew from experience that he had no issue returning her to where he put her as many times as it took for her to eventually give up.

With no choice but to admit defeat, she huffed and called out a thank you, a small laugh escaping her when he flashed her that beaming smile of his when he knew that he’d won before turning back to his task.

Finding the sight of her husband far more interesting than whatever was on the tv at this time of day, ChiChi readjusted herself to a more comfortable position, watching him contently as he rocked from side to side, humming the theme song of a cartoon that Goten was currently obsessed with as he worked, almost entranced by the way his muscles bunched and relaxed under the thin material of his shirt.

He’d been back for weeks now and it still seemed so surreal to see him here, living and breathing, looking just as he did the morning he and Gohan had left to battle Cell. 

It hadn’t been seamless of course, seven years was a long time to be away after all; but somehow he’d managed to slot himself back into their lives almost naturally, making moments like these feel like he’d never been gone in the first place.

A sense of peace washed over her, the feeling reminiscent of their first five years together before all the chaos that Raditz’ arrival had triggered and felt her eyes begin to droop; the running water, soft clinking of china and Goku’s soft baritone more potent than any lullabye.    

Goku smiled softly as he felt ChiChi’s ki settle and even out, stifling a laugh when he peeked behind him to find her asleep, her head resting in the crook of her arm, leaning over the arm of the couch, the remote still hanging loosely from her other hand. He decided to let her sleep as long as she needed, knowing the adjustment to keep not only their boys fed, but now him as well was taking its toll on her, no matter how much she tried to deny it. 

He quickly finished what was left and turned off the faucet, flicking the excess water from his hands before drying them and padded over to her, admiring his wife for a moment before gently scooping her up into his arms and settled himself onto the couch, repositioning her on his chest, taking care not to wake her.

He hummed his contentment as ChiChi snuggled into him further after he’d draped a blanket over them, the weight of her on him reminding him of just how much he had missed this while he was in Other World. 

While he had stuck with his decision to stay among the dead, adamant to keep his family and friends safe, he’d regretted it so many times over the course of those seven years. Training and fighting in the Other World tournament had been fun and welcome distractions, but ChiChi and Gohan would always be on his mind whenever he’d had time to himself. 

He’d always wonder how big Gohan was getting, if he was happy, how he was doing with his studies; he missed hearing about all the things he’d learned, his sweet boy excitedly spouting facts about some cool bug they’d found while out on a hike and him listening along eagerly, despite not knowing any of the terminology he’d used.

And then there was ChiChi; thinking about her had always been hard. She had been hurting so much the last few years before he’d died the second time, crisis after crisis popping up, always tied to him in one way or another and he realized not for the first time how lucky he had been that she’d decided to stay with him through all of it.

He knew she’d be angry and heartbroken when she learned of his death, but often wondered if she’d also been relieved when he’d decided to stay away. 

Wondered if maybe she’d even found someone else who could give her the kind of life she’d wanted; a life of peace and safety, a life that despite his best efforts, he hadn’t been able to provide while alive.

The thought of her moving on had always brought a tightness to his chest that made it hard to breathe despite not having the need to do so. It wasn’t that he hadn’t wanted her to find happiness after his passing, nothing could be further from the truth; but the thought of another man holding her in his arms, being intimate with her in a way that only he’d known and her returning those affections drove his instincts haywire. 

He couldn’t help the rush of emotion that coursed through him when he showed up at the tournament and there she was, just as beautiful as the morning he’d kissed her goodbye for the last time, teary eyed and happy to see him, making a point to tell him that she’d missed him. 

And Gohan, his sweet, smart, amazing little boy, who was now just shy of being a man and nearly as tall as he was had quite literally thrown himself into his arms with a force that could’ve easily sent a lesser man flying, strong arms and legs curling around him in a bone crushing hug that was returned in equal fervor, no words needed in that moment as he held his boy, relieved that he hadn’t grown to hate him for his choice. 

That relief had been short lived however, only to be replaced with guilt and regret after he’d put Gohan back down on his feet and caught the gaze of a tinier version of himself peeking at him from just behind ChiChi, his little hand gripping the fabric of her pants before he’d shyly ducked behind her legs.

He’d felt like his head was underwater, the excited ramblings from everyone around him  suddenly muffled, his knees going weak as the realization slammed into him harder than any opponent ever could. 

She’d given him another son and he’d never known; never got to hold him in his first moments after he came into the world, never heard him say his first words, never seen him take his first steps, didn’t know his name, what he liked to do for fun, his favorite food, his favorite color, what he wanted to be when he grew up, or any of the other important things that a dad should know about his little boy.

When Goten had rushed into his arms after they’d introduced each other, he’d barely been able to keep the tears prickling in his eyes at bay as he scooped him up eagerly, overjoyed that his little boy had accepted him and wished that he’d had more time to be with his family than just the twenty four hours Baba was able to allow him. 

In the aftermath of their fight with Buu, after the dust had settled and the adrenaline had faded, the realization that he’d been given another chance at life had finally started to sink in. He was eternally grateful for the Old Kai’s sacrifice, especially after ChiChi had quite literally sobbed with joy at the news that he was coming back for good, his boys clinging to him for dear life, tears in their eyes while they excitedly chattered over one another, telling him about all the things they wanted to show him.

“Honey? Wha’s wrong, you okay?” ChiChi asked, her head popping up from his chest after she’d felt the uptick in his heartbeat, her voice thick with sleep and laced with concern.

“I’m fine Chi, just thinkin’, go back to sleep.” He reassured sheepishly with a smile and ran his fingers through her hair that she’d tied back into a low ponytail, reminding him of when they were younger.

“Ya sure?” She prodded gently, knowing he had the habit of keeping his feelings hidden behind that goofy smile of his.

“I know ya say tha'cha ain't good at readin' ki, but I’m thinkin’ ya got a natural talent for it.” He praised in an attempt to distract her, delighting in the soft blush that dusted over her cheeks as she scootched herself further up his chest and met her halfway when she leaned in for a kiss.

“Or maybe, I’ve been wit'cha long enough to be able to read ya; now what’s on your mind?” She teased lightly when they parted and tapped him on the nose with her finger, looking at him expectantly and waited patiently when he sighed and his eyes softened.

“Just thinkin’ ‘bou'cha an' the boys an’ how much I missed out on; musta been hard raisin’ our boys all on your own for so long, ‘specially with them bein’ half Saiyan to boot. I shoulda come back when I had the chance and been there for ya.” Goku answered after another heavy sigh and let his head fall back against the arm of the couch, his eyes tracing invisible patterns into the ceiling. 

“Hey,” ChiChi called out to him softly, her hand coming up to rest on his cheek, waiting to continue until he lifted his head to meet her eyes again. “I already told ya that I forgave ya when we talked after ya came home, an’ I meant it. Ya did what ya felt ya had to do in order to keep us safe. Now you’re back and have the opportunity to make up for lost time, ya shouldn’t waste it by getting stuck in the past and dwelling on what coulda been.” She reassured, tracing her fingertips over the lines of his face, her lips turning up into a smile after he’d given her a genuine smile this time.

“I love ya.” He said, catching her hand to press a kiss to her fingers.

“Love ya too; now, ya gonna tell me how long I’ve been asleep for?” She replied playfully, pressing a quick kiss to his lips.

“Not that long, maybe an hour?” He answered, humming thoughtfully after taking a look at the clock on the wall.

“An hour?! Goku you shoulda woke me up instead of comin’ to lay down with me! I’ve got cleanin’ to do and lunch an’ dinner to prep, and we still gotta meet with Old Mr.Taro about gettin’ that tractor; I’m gonna be so far behi-” ChiChi listed off worriedly, nearly scrambling to get off the couch when Goku’s arm wrapped around her securely, pulling her back into his lap as he sat up. 

“Hey, hey, take it easy Chi! There’s no rush; I’ll help ya with the food, the house is already clean enough, it don’t need to be spotless an’ we don’t gotta meet with Mr. Taro ‘til the boys are almost outta school, we got plenty of time.” Goku countered, his tone filled with reassurance, his hand running up and down her back soothingly, easily coaxing her to relax back against him.

“But-” she tried to resist and went to push herself away from his chest when he cut her off, much to her annoyance.

“No buts, ya promised me that you’d stop gettin’ all worked up over the small things; you’re gonna end up givin’ yourself a heart attack from all that stress, an’ speakin’ from experience, it ain’t fun.” He argued lightly and pointed her with a look that made her deflate and lean back against him with a sigh.

“I’m sorry.” She apologized, her voice small as she tucked her head under his chin, feeling guilty; so far Goku had been holding up the promises he’d made and yet she was still struggling with keeping up just the one he’d asked of her.

“S’okay, I forgive ya. It’s gonna take practice, but I know you’ll get it eventually.” He encouraged, a slight teasing air to his voice and pulled her back just far enough to press his lips to her hairline, breathing in her scent deeply, humming contentedly as she calmed.

“Promise?” ChiChi asked, her voice lilting with affection as she rested back against his chest and wrapped one arm around him as much as she was able while her other hand traced patterns against his chest.

“Promise.” Goku answered, humming his pleasure when she kissed just above the collar of his shirt after he’d wrapped his arms around her, giving her an affectionate pat on the bottom before rubbing circles into her back until her weight once again sank against him fully.