Work Text:
Title: Together Through the Forest
Fandom: Dragon Ball Z
Summary: Post-Buu saga. What had started off as another day of playing in the forest takes an unexpected turn for Son Goten as he runs into a lost girl in need of help.
Pairing: Son Goten/Palace | Valese
Goten loves traversing the forest of Mount Paozu. Always have, always will.
He's never been the type to stay indoors, keeping his nose in the books. If anything, he can't stand being cooped up. The freedom of exploration is a desire as profound as the sun, one he happily owns and expresses to the world around him. With ancient trees that surpass lifetimes, stone pillars capable of reaching the stars, and the peaceful wildlife in this land he calls home, what's not to love about this place?
Today is no different. In sporadic fits of laughter, he speeds through the woods faster than a cheetah, his hair a black banner caught in the gale. This rush of roaring wind cools his face, providing a nice reprieve from June's summer heat. The tingling aroma of fruits and flowers further adds to this pleasant ambiance.
Home greets the boy through music that speaks to the heart, where nature and its inhabitants are the instruments. He's told a great deal on how things are going. Chirruping birds, frolicking deer, a sobbing girl, grunting bears, and–
Goten pauses. His feet skid to a halt, carving dirt trails and kicking up clouds of dust behind him. He strains his ears to listen.
The sobs of a young girl still persist.
Curiouser and curiouser.
Intrigued, he follows the voice. He has to go off the path, so he ends up having to weave his way through trees and bushes.
Long branches from the trees cast shadows upon him and the ground he treads, the dark streaks crisscrossing in an overlapping elegance.
Before long, Goten finds himself at a tranquil stream, and he sees the girl who has beckoned him with her sweet, sad voice.
She sits by the riverbank, curled up into a ball. Her hair spills past her shoulders, a cascade of chocolate crescents flowing over the white sundress she dons. The girl, appearing to be around his age, hangs her head and keeps to herself in a blubbering mess, unaware of his presence.
A look of concern settles on his face. The girl's sobs remind him of all the times he found Mom crying while staring at Dad's portrait. Back when Dad was in the otherworld. What he sees before him now makes him feel just as uncomfortable.
Of course, he knows he can't play the role of silent witness here. He never ignores Mom when she needs comfort, so why should other girls be any different?
Goten advances toward her at a cautious pace, so as not to frighten her any further, and asks, "Hey, miss, are you okay?"
The girl turns her head to look at him. Her brown eyes, as rich as the waves of hair mesmerizing him, betray a sorrow that has been prolonged way before his arrival. Streaks of dry tears blemish that face shaped like a heart.
She seems like a beautiful princess struck by an ugly tragedy.
"…N… No…" she says to him, the sniffles and whimpers proving her words true.
"What's wrong?" he presses, not mincing words but showing just as much compassion in his approach.
"I'm scared!" she blurts out.
"What are you scared of?"
"Of being all alone in this scary place!"
He tilts his head to the side. How is Mount Paozu scary? The scenery is heaven on earth and there are only angels for wildlife. Then again, the girl seems to believe otherwise, not out of hatred but out of bona fide fear. He understands well enough to not tactlessly undermine her feelings.
So instead, with sympathy dripping from his voice, the boy inquires, "How did you wind up by yourself like this? What happened?"
She rubs her eyes, replying in a shaky voice, "This was supposed to be a fun camping trip. Outside of the city. Just me, Mommy and Daddy. But a strange-looking bear tried to attack us. I got separated from Mommy and Daddy and… and…" she wails, "I don't know what to do!"
He ponders the girl's story. Paozu bears are solitary animals by nature. They typically leave people alone unless provoked, threatened… or desperate for food. Maybe the Paozu bear this person encountered couldn't find anything else to eat, and that she and her parents were simply at the wrong place at the wrong time. It's possible.
But what does she mean by "strange-looking"?
Goten shrugs after a moment. No matter. In any case, he knows a perturbed soul when he sees one. He knows what he must do.
The right thing to do.
"I can help you find them."
She blinks at his offer in surprise. "You'd do that? For me?"
"Yeah!" he nods ecstatically, his smile oozing radiance. "Why wouldn't I? When a person needs help, it's only right to help them."
His words move the girl to tears. "Th… Thank you. This means a lot to me."
He outstretches a hand out toward her, to which she graciously accepts without second thought. After pulling her up on her feet, Goten closes his eyes and calls upon his ki sense.
There are a lot of energy signatures scattered throughout Mount Paozu. He tries getting a feel out of each one.
Human ki is distinct from the wildlife. More complicated emotions to pick up, among other components. It also helps that he can use the person next to him as a point of reference.
There! Two ki signatures at a great distance from where he is, similar to the little lady in aura. They seem frantic and distraught.
The grin on his lips widens as he opens his eyes.
"Alright then, let's go find your Mommy and Daddy!" he chirps.
"R–Right!" she pipes up, her voice less sad than before.
They venture through the woods together. Goten opts to not rely on his bukūjutsu. Mom and Big Brother Gohan made it very clear that he should avoid flying near normal people to not draw any unnecessary attention. Tempting as it is to soar around and look for the parents that way, he knows better than to disregard their warnings.
That, and travelling on foot isn't much of an issue to him anyway.
Thick shadows reside under the trees, blanketing him and his friend in a cool darkness. Soft shafts of sunlight poke through the trees from the sky, blotting the grass and terra firma with warm yellow spots.
Suddenly, something appears before his eyes.
A deer and its fawn leap across the path in front of him. They vanish as swiftly as they come into sight, chasing after the roving breeze. Though brief, it's a beautiful sight.
"Eep!" the girl squeals as she clings to his arm.
Goten eyes her in confusion, curious about her actions. "Umm… what are you doing, miss?"
She gives him an apologetic look. Weirdly enough, she still holds onto him. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get so jumpy like that; it's just the way those deer were moving had startled me."
He shakes his head. "No, I get that. What I mean to say is why are you grabbing my arm?"
The girl lapses into silence, stunned at the question.
It takes a moment before she speaks up again. "Well…" she starts in a timid tone, "I feel safer when I do."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"I dunno. I can't explain it very well, but… being beside you makes me feel less scared. And I feel better when I hold your arm…"
That doesn't explain much. Goten scrutinizes her face, as if trying to find a better answer that way. All that's there, however, are reddened cheeks among the waltz of sunlight and shadows upon that shy face.
Strange. He can't recall Mom or Videl ever acting this way. Of course, he hasn't met many girls in his life (or many people in general for that matter) so maybe this is normal for the young miss.
And yet something about the way she clings to him feels nice. Kinda like the headpats that Gohan gives him for a job well done, or how Mom would embrace him every now and then, but different. It gives him this fluttering sensation in his stomach that makes him feel simultaneously nervous and happy.
A very bizarre thing, though not really a bad thing now that he thinks more about it.
"Oh, okay then!" he beams, "If that's the case, then feel free to hold my arm. I won't mind."
The smile he receives is one from a charming face. It warms his heart and further contributes to the fluttering in his gut. "Thanks. Really, I appreciate it," says the brunette.
Boy and girl resume their journey through the forest. Their shoes sink into the vibrant green grass with every step they take, leaving behind flattened patches.
Along the way, the girl asks, "So what's a boy like you doing out here in the woods? Are you and your family going on a camping trip, too?"
"Nope!" he cheerfully responds, pointing his thumb at himself. "I live in Mount Paozu with my family. I'm the youngest, Son Goten."
"Goten… Perceiving the Heavens…" she translates slowly. Her brown eyes sparkle. "Wow, what a cool name!"
He rubs the nape of his neck sheepishly. "Ah, shucks!"
A look of awe illuminates her face. "You even have a surname! Wow! Not many people have surnames these days, you know. It's considered an outdated practice."
Goten is taken aback. This is news to him. "Really? Does that mean you don't have a surname?"
"That's right," the girl pauses. "Wait, I don't think I have given you my name, did I?"
"Not really, no."
"Oh, I'm sorry, where are my manners?" she releases his arm, stands in front of him, and bobs a curtsy. "I'm Palace."
"Palace," Goten murmurs, tasting the syllables. He does this again two more times. Her name, a whisper of royalty and prosperity in the wind, rolls off the tongue well. It befits the tenderhearted princess before him.
Giggling, Palace returns to his side and holds onto his arm again. "So what do you think about my name, Goten?"
He tells her exactly what he thinks. "Suits you well! Kinda reminds me of royalty, and you do seem like a princess to me!"
"Oh, stop!" Palace averts her gaze. "You're making me blush!"
Goten looks at her, thoroughly confused. "You want me to stop talking, Miss Palace? Why? I'm just answering your question, and I'm being very honest about it, too. My mom taught me to never be a liar."
When Palace glances back at him, he can feel her chocolate eyes linger on his onyx counterparts. Those cherry blossom petals for lips reveal a flawless white smile as bright as the gleam of happiness in her eyes. "You kind boy, you!"
First she tells him to stop talking, and now she is complimenting him? How confusing…
But she does seem to be happy. That's all that matters.
At that moment, he suddenly gasps, tensing up.
"What is it, Goten?" Palace inquires softly, her voice a cross between concern and confusion, "What's wrong?"
A malicious ki, heading towards them! He's been so preoccupied talking with Palace and keeping track of the other two energies that he didn't pay any heed to it. That is–not until now.
"Miss Palace."
"Yes?"
"Get behind me," he advises, "and stay close."
Palace grows unnerved by his serious demeanor. "Whatever for?"
"Safety," Goten answers simply.
The tension in the air thickens to where he and Palace can hardly breathe. He doubts even a knife can cut through it. Palace, of course, becomes observant of this abrupt shift in atmosphere.
"Goten…" she says tentatively, as though worried her next words might tempt fate, "Is something bad going to happen to us?"
He observes the brunette. Fresh tears form at the corners of her eyes, threatening to trickle down her cheeks. What he sees on her frightened face is a herald to distress, much like the display of melancholy he witnessed back at the riverbank.
Goten does what he feels he must.
"Don't worry," he reassures, "I'll do what I can to protect you. Trust me. That's all you gotta do. Can you do that?"
The boy means what he says. He's as earnest as his words. There's just something about Palace that compels him to stay by her side. And Goten can't stand to see her so sad. He desires to see a bright smile on her face, one that'll last as long as the world they live in.
Notwithstanding Shenron's absence, his wish has been granted. To his delight, Palace dons a happier expression for him. It's smaller and fainter than her other smiles, of course, though by no means is it any less sweet.
"Okay," she complies, going behind him before placing her hands on his shoulders. "I trust you."
He nods, pleased to hear such a response. "Cool."
Sadly, this touching moment between the pair is short-lived. The sound of heavy, rapid footsteps reaches his ears, its ever increasing volume warning him of the inevitable peril. These footsteps are strong enough to shake the forest.
Palace tries her best to stifle her quivering voice.
Goten keeps a level head as he assumes a fighting stance.
A looming figure emerges from the thickest parts of the shadows around him and Palace. That's when it finally reveals itself.
Before the pair stands a creature as black as night. Its appearance is that of a bear, though the mohawk and dark-purple ram horns are rather novel, especially for something that should be an ordinary Paozu bear. Still, there's no mistaking that sinister ki.
"My, oh my," the beast says in a guttural voice, much to his surprise. "Lookie what I found–the same girl who managed to evade me, and another human! What a treat!"
A frightened Palace hides behind his back.
Goten, completely bewildered, has to ask, "You talk?"
"Course I talk, boy!" it sneers, "What makes ya think I can't?"
"Paozu bears don't talk," he replies simply.
"Don't lump me in with those passive lot, brat. You ain't dealing with just any average bear. I am Lord Glutto, ruler of Mount Paozu!"
"…Never heard of you. But with all due respect, you oughta know better than to lie. Mount Paozu has no ruler."
Glutto scoffs, "Children. Always so disrespectful and obstinate toward their betters. Well, maybe you'll change your tune once I eat you and your lady friend like I did those other humans."
"Other humans?" he hears Palace whisper in abject horror. "Mommy? Daddy?"
"Oh yes!" Glutto cackles, "Tasty morsels, your parents were! Chewing on 'em alive was the best part. Their cries of fear and anguish filled my ears better than how their bodies filled my stomach. What delightful delicacies!"
Strangled sobs emit behind Goten, who can't decide what infuriates him more–the fact that Glutto is lying for the sake of false pretenses, or watching the demon upset Palace like this.
He glares daggers at Glutto. "Liar."
Glutto smirks, "Oh, but I'm–"
"–still lying," Goten cuts off brusquely, "You lied about being Mount Paozu's ruler, and you're definitely lying about eating Palace's parents."
The smirk on Glutto's face flips upside down. "I am the ruler of Mount Paozu. And I have eaten that child's parents. What reason would I have to lie?"
"What reason would you have to tell us the truth?"
The creature bares his teeth, each one sharp enough to dig into bones. Its face resembles a demon, red eyes blind with bloodlust. "Bite your tongue! I am not someone you should trifle with. I have devoured fools bigger than you. My villainy knows no bounds."
A displeased frown forms on his face. "You talk too much," Goten tells the beast plainly.
Glutto bristles at that remark. "Wretched child! For your insolence, I shall dine on your soul first."
"I think you should save your breath. Empty threats are a waste of air."
"How dare you! That's it, you die right here and now!"
In a swift motion, the beast lunges at the pair, its mouth opening far too wide to be normal. The loud roar that it unleashes is as mighty as an earthquake, vibrating through the rustling trees.
Palace screams as she buries herself into the back of his shirt.
Goten reacts fast.
He forms a blue energy sphere from the palm of his left hand before aiming it at Glutto's mouth. The boy shoots a ki blast, which hits its target with excellent precision.
Glutto stops charging towards him and Palace. It stumbles backwards on its two legs, choking on smoke and clutching its chest.
But Goten doesn't stop there. Using his other hand, he balls up a fist and cocks it back. Then he thrusts it forward. A cluster of air shoots out and strikes the fiend right at its heart.
Hit by the concentrated shockwave, Glutto gets sent flying. It makes a violent collision with one of the trees, eliciting a harsh thud! Slumping against it, the creature closes its eyes as it draws its last breath. Its dark ki dissipates shortly after.
Turning to Palace, Goten consoles, "It's okay, Miss Palace. That beast won't hurt you now."
Palace looks up and scrutinizes the unmoving bear. Confusion manifests on her face. "What happened?"
"I dealt with Glutto," he answers nonchalantly.
Shock eclipses her confusion. "No way! How?"
"Blew it away with a single punch. Toward the tree behind me," the boy raises a fist before mimicking the motion of his attack. "Just like that."
From the way Palace tilts her head, he can tell how hard it must be for her to believe that. It's understandable, though the proof remains in front of her clear as day. Goten gives her a moment to process things.
There's a beat of silence between them, but then Palace proceeds to give him an affectionate embrace. "Oh, my hero!"
Having not expected the hug at all, Goten can only blink. He feels his friend's slender arms tightly wrap around his torso, as if she'd never let him go. Deep down, he knows she likely wouldn't if she didn't have to…
And truth be told, part of him really doesn't want her to. The way their hearts follow the same soothing rhythm together is a wonderful thing.
He can't explain this warm, fuzzy feeling. In a way, Palace completes him like missing instruments added to a piece of music, something he never thought he needed until now. He wishes this fond moment between them could last forever.
Alas, all good things must come to an end sooner or later, so the boy settles for the next best thing, which is to reciprocate the gesture.
Eventually, the pair separate. Palace starts to look slightly despondent.
This change in behavior prompts him to ask, "Why so sad, Miss Palace?"
"I can't help thinking about what that bear said," she responds sadly, glancing away. "About how it killed my parents…"
"Hmm…"
Using his ki senses, he tries to get a fix on them again. Sure enough, the two energy signatures he has been tracking down continue to exist even now. Still frightened, still worried… but still alive.
"There's no need to worry," he consoles, "Your parents aren't dead."
Palace looks back at him. "But that bear–"
"That bear is the type who almost never tells the truth. It didn't get your parents. Believe me, I know."
"But how would you know?"
He flashes a knowing smile. "Just call it a gut feeling."
She gives him a puzzled look, still very much unconvinced.
In spite of this reaction, however, he beams, "I mean what I say, y'know. I know better than to be a liar. I told ya before, didn't I?"
"…Yeah," she concedes, "You did."
"We'll find your parents. I promise," Goten reaches out to her with an outstretched hand.
Palace observes his hand, seemingly unsure. It's hard to tell what she could be thinking right now, much less what she might do, but Goten is patient.
She glances back and forth between his face and his hand, and then she takes his hand, just as she had back at the riverbank. "Okay. Let's go find them."
"Together," he tenderly presses her hand.
"Yeah. Together," Palace responds in kind, through action and through word.
Within the darkest parts of the forest, they bask in the warmth of the smiles they exchange.
Evening spreads through the sky in an orange vastness. The summer heat remains faint yet present in the wind gingerly brushing their faces and hair, providing them a subtle reminder that the end of today draws nigh.
It's likely close to dinner time by now. His family is probably waiting for him back home, and that is all the more reason to help reunite Palace with her parents as soon as possible. On that note…
Their hands have not separated since they resumed their search for the parents, a fact that Goten likes to think about. It feels very similar to the hug he had with her earlier. So nice. Comforting. Heartwarming. Having their hands linked like this makes it seem as if he and she are in harmony with one another. Like the two of them are experiencing the world together in such a way that makes him think they're both sharing the same soul.
It's this kind of closeness that he enjoys immensely. Goten wonders if Palace feels the same as he does.
He hopes so.
"Goten?" Palace's voice breaks his reverie.
Hearing his name, he spares her a glance. "Yeah? What's up?"
"Do you think we're getting any closer to finding my mommy and daddy?" asks the lady, her inquisitive delivery as polite as can be.
His lips twitch upward. "Funny you should ask, Miss Palace."
"Huh?" Palace quirks her head to the side, bewildered by the response. "What do you mean, Goten?"
"See for yourself!"
He quickens his pace, eager to just show rather than tell. Palace does stumble a bit at the sudden speed, but it doesn't take long for her to match his footsteps.
Then the two children start to hear the sobs, the harrowing sadness of a woman whose voice seems to be made of honey and thorns. Sweet to the ears, yet burdened with too much pain. These noises grow louder and louder the further they approach the end of the path.
Goten takes Palace to the trees just up ahead. Silently, the pair hide behind one and peer through the gap between the trees.
He hears a quiet gasp from Palace.
There they are–a woman and a man. Right out in the open, surrounded by a ring of shrubs and trees, where most of the afternoon glow currently resides.
Two things catch Goten's eye. First is the long wavy hair flowing down the woman's back like a waterfall made of chocolate syrup. Next is the pair of brown eyes from the man that seem splendidly rich in color. To Goten, it's like they are carrying pieces of Palace with them. Through their appearances, it shows.
"Oh, Palace! Our poor baby!" the woman bawls, her blue eyes glistening like a star-spangled sea. "I can't believe we got separated from her!"
The man runs a hand through his short raven hair. "I can't believe I failed her as a father," he paces back and forth, struggling to keep it together. "Blast it! If it weren't for that bear…!"
"I don't want to imagine what our daughter is going through right now. All alone out there with that horrific monster running around! What if Palace has been ea–"
"We can't think like that, hon! We'll find her. We just need a plan!"
"What kind of plan, dear?! Mount Paozu is vast and thick, and the sun's coming down. We'll never find her in the dark; no, we might never find her at all!" the wife chokes out before breaking down in tears.
The husband tends to his significant other, trying his best to console her by wrapping his arms around her. He brings her into his chest, and then he, too, begins to weep.
"Mommy…" Palace murmurs, having seen everything, "Daddy…"
Goten turns away from the parents and gives Palace a consoling clap on the shoulder. "Don't worry. They're safe and unharmed. All they really need is you. Showing yourself will make 'em happy," he whispers back.
"That's true…" Palace trails off. Then her face brightens. "Hey, maybe you should introduce yourself to my parents!"
He's flabbergasted at the brunette's sudden change in tune, and doubly more so at her suggestion. "You want me to do that?"
She takes his hands, cupping them together. "Why not? I think it would be great for them to know what a wonderful boy you are!" Palace coos.
Goten finds himself stuck between a rock and a hard place. As enticing as it sounds to stay with Palace for a little longer, he also knows he can't worry his family more than he likely has already.
Ultimately, with a heavy heart, he respectfully declines, "Sorry, Miss Palace, but I don't think I'll be able to. If I keep staying out here, my family will start to worry. My mom might be freaking out already."
It pains him to see his friend deflate. She releases his hands. "Oh…"
He tries to assuage Palace's disappointment. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to upset you. It's just–"
Palace shakes her head. "No need to apologize, Goten. You made a good point; you have your family just as I have mine. I only wish we could have more time together. I like being around you."
"You took the words out of my mouth…" And out of my heart, he finishes internally.
Her gaze downcast, she asks with sadness leaking out of her voice, "Do you think we'll see each other again?"
Part of him hopes so, though when he thinks more about it, there's one important thing to take into account. Goten answers her question with another question, "Would your parents ever take you back to Mount Paozu after what happened today?"
An awkward silence drags out for a moment before she tells him, "It's unlikely, no. Mommy and Daddy have always been overprotective of me as is, and with this experience…" her voice dies away, but she need not elaborate further. Enough has been said.
"Yeah," he sighs wistfully, understanding the implications.
"So I guess this is goodbye," she laments.
"Maybe," the boy muses, not knowing what else to tell his friend.
It's time like this when he wonders what Gohan, Mom or even Dad would say in this kind of situation.
Goten pauses.
Dad. Of course!
"Actually, maybe not," he suddenly perks up.
Palace blinks. "Huh? What do you mean, Goten?"
Memories of the time he and Dad had to part ways still remain fresh in his mind. It's a sad moment, but it's what happens later on that truly counts.
"Even if we may not see each other for a while, it doesn't necessarily mean it'll be like that forever. There'll always be next time."
"And when is that gonna be?" she wonders.
"Maybe soon, maybe later. All I know is this," he holds her hands–just as she did with his–and beams, "Until we meet again!"
Palace takes a moment to consider his words before mirroring his sunny disposition. "Okay. If you say so. Until we meet again!"
"Now go back to your parents. Make 'em smile again."
"I will!"
She turns around and starts to move forward, only to stop after taking only a few steps. Naturally, Goten grows concerned.
Right when he's about to ask whether or not she's feeling okay, Palace whirls back in his direction and skips over to him. Her delicate hands perch on his shoulders. She leans in before pecking him on the cheek.
His eyes widen as he places a hand on his cheek, now feeling as though there are butterflies flitting about in his stomach. "Miss Palace…?"
"I've never had any friends. Not 'till you found me in the woods," she confesses, "I hope we see each other again, Goten. I would like to get to know you more."
With that said, Palace takes her leave. Her long, brown hair rides the evening breeze. Goten looks on attentively as she does, his gaze never drifting away from the young lady whose gestures of affection are burned into his mind. This is one memory he won't ever forget.
His fingers linger on his cheek, right on top of the phantasmal print left behind by Palace's kiss.
"Mommy! Daddy!" he can hear Palace call out.
"Palace? My God, Palace!"
"My baby! Oh, I can't believe it; you've come back to us!"
What happens next puts a smile on his face, bigger than any smile he's ever donned before. He sees a hug shared between a father, mother, and daughter. He sees the tears they all shed, small beads running down their cheeks. Most importantly, he sees the radiant smiles forming from their lips.
Out of the three faces, Palace has the brightest grin.
Goten vows to treasure that smile, that lovely expression he considers a precious souvenir of their time together.
Deciding to leave the happy family alone, he starts heading back home, though not without taking the time to think. He and Palace have gone their separate ways, but his thoughts on the girl have not truly left him.
There's just so much he likes about Palace. What sticks out to him the most, however, is her desire for companions. He knows this through her hugs, the handholding, her need to cling onto his arm earlier, and the last thing she said to him especially. That desire resonates with him, he who lives in the woods with few people to socialize with.
It's enough to make him wish they reunite soon.
Zip!
Without warning, a man materializes in front of Goten. The spiky hair, orange gi, and relatively monstrous height almost makes him think he's staring at a bigger version of himself, though he knows better.
"Yo, Goten!" greets Dad.
"Wah!" he stumbles back, his heart leaping.
Dad's quick enough to place his hands on his shoulders, preventing him from falling. "Whoa, whoa, easy there, son. Sorry 'bout that. I didn't mean to scare ya!"
He tries to calm his racing heart by taking slow, deep breaths. Now he understands why Mom complains about Dad's ability to teleport so much.
When he feels ready to speak, Goten pipes up, "Dad? What are you doing here?"
"Your Mom," Dad explains, "She said she finished making dinner but she couldn't find you in the house. With her fretting so much, I felt like I needed to go find ya. It wasn't hard since I could track your ki."
"You really went looking for me?"
"Of course, son! Why wouldn't I? Ain't it a father's job to look after his kids? You know I care about ya and Gohan."
"Oh… I see…"
Truth be told, he isn't quite used to Dad's presence, even despite the month since his unexpected resurrection. The man had been deceased for seven years, having died some time before Goten was born. It's always been Gohan or Mom taking care of him. To suddenly have Dad in his life feels very surreal.
Then again, Dad being around is far from an unwelcome change. Just one more person for him to look up to.
"Well, thanks, Dad," he says with sincerity. "I appreciate you showing up."
"Don't mention it, little guy," Dad lifts Goten off his feet, bringing him up to eye level as he beams, "So didja have a lotta fun playing in the woods?"
He thinks about everything that transpired between him and Palace, and his lips curve into a smile. "Mm-hmm! I made a new friend today."
"Ah, like Gohan and Icarus! Plan on seeing your friend again?"
"I like to think I will. If not tomorrow, then another day. Some day."
"Good thinking," his father approves. "Y'know, when it comes to family or friends, there's no such thing as goodbye. There's just next time."
"Yeah," a knowing look crosses his face as he nods. "I understand."
After setting Goten down, Dad places two fingers on his forehead while holding onto the boy's left shoulder with his other hand. "Glad ya do. Now what say we head back home and enjoy dinner as a family?"
Goten nods his head yet again, eager to spend time with his father. To be with his family. To follow Palace's example. "Sounds good to me!"
"Then off we go!" Dad cheers.
Zip!