Chapter Text
"Isn't this illegal?"
"No... At least I don't think so. Besides I have a key. Just relax and trust me," Doug said looking back to his girlfriend. He unlocked the door and stepped inside, pulling her along with him. He turned on the lights then locked the doors behind him.
Priyanka looked around and whistled mock impressively, “So this is where you spend the rest of your time, huh glasses guy?”
Doug nodded, “Yup… I still can’t believe you’ve never been in here before.”
“I never saw a need to. It’s calming in here though,” the whole atmosphere of the planetarium, was very relaxing. It was comfortable to her, as comfortable as what essentially was like a museum could be at least. She walked around, letting her fingers drag across the plaques, skimming the information. The med student’s eyes bounced around to the different displays, then the landed back on Doug. She realized then, it had felt so nice because it reminded her of him.
“You still haven’t seen the best part,” a grin spread across his face as he grabbed her hand again pulling her into the large auditorium area. It was dark, he couldn’t see very well, but he knew his place around there like the back of his hand. Making his way to the control booth he instructed Priyanka to say there while he set it all up.
Moments later, a new light came on. Up above bared images of the night sky. Priyanka let out an audible gasp looking up at the sky. Doug grabbed the remote and jumped over and on to some chairs in his way. He made his way to the other side of the wall and out the hallway. He came back carrying pillows and blankets. A laugh came from Priyanka as he almost tripped over the last two chairs getting to her.
Doug fixed his slightly askew glasses, then laid the blanket down on the ground. “It’s more comfortable this way,” he sat down and patted the spot next to him.
“I see,” She sat down. “Guess you’ve done this routine before with a bunch of other girls huh?”
“Nope,” he shook his head laughing slightly. “You’re the only one I’ve ever brought here.”
She blushed and looked away. “So you just happened to have a pillow and blanket stored away here? Not planning anything are you?” She asked grinning and looking back at him.
“I’m not trying- I don’t want to- I mean unless you want to- I just, nap here a lot. Looking at the sky relaxes me.” He put his head in his hands, feeling embarrassed.
“I’m just teasing. And I don’t care if you take naps on the floor of a planetarium. It’s what make you you, and I love you.” She leaned in and kissed his cheek. It was dark, but the illumination of the stars showed the blush that crept up on his cheeks. They’d been dating for almost a year now, but she still had the effect on him that could make him just melt in her hands at a moment's notice.
Doug, fixed his glasses again, trying to sound more collected than he felt. Then he pointed up at the sky above, “Do you see those collection of stars? They’re my favorite,” In a moments notice he was off rambling again. It was soothing, hearing him talk about the stars and planets.
All the facts he had seemed endless. Minutes later they ended up on their backs, he was holding her hand and pointing. Priyanka looked over at him as he talked, drowning out most of what he was saying. The only thing she could focus on was how passionate he was about the subject. It was a joy to be there enjoying what he liked so much.
He went through so many different views of the night sky, excitedly pointing out the planets from the stars. He flicked back to night sky and sighed happily. They sat in silence for a few minutes. Priyanka felt herself drifting off to sleep, then Doug spoke again. “They’re gonna shut the planetarium down.”
Her eyes almost flew open, “What? Why?” She sat up looking concerned at him.
“They say it’s too much to operate. The number of students majoring in astrology and what not have dropped a lot. People aren’t visiting as much. It just losing money.”
“I’m sorry…” She reached out and grabbed his hand. “I know how much this place means to you.”
“It’s alright, all good things come to an end, right? It just, it scares me that's all. I don’t have a plan and it's scary.”
“Plan for what?”
“Life,” he said with a shrug. “Like after college. I thought I knew what I wanted. But, I don't think this is right anymore. I feel like my parents were always right. There's no jobs out there for me. Not really. Not when places like this are getting shut down. Maybe this is just best as a hobby type thing.”
Priyanka sat up to look at him, “You can't think that way, Doug. I’m sure you’ll find something out there. Don’t give up on your passions and your dreams.”
“I’m not. You’re my dream, Priyanka. I want to be able to support you.”
“Listen, you don’t have to support me or anything, I can handle myself.” She stood up and ran her fingers through her hair. “Who knows if you'll always be there.”
At that Doug sat up, “I always want to be there for you." He was on his knee, and grabbed her hand. “Priyanka, I love you more than than the amount of stars in the universe. You shine brighter than any of them. You’re charming, sweet, and drive me crazy. I don’t think I could imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone but you. You’re my dream. Will you marry me?” He dug into his pants pocket and pulled out a small box. He opened it exposing the ring inside.
Her heart was racing. This was crazy. It was so soon. Too early in her life. She felt like the most logical thing to do would be to say no. It made the most sense considering the time of life she was in. Her heart had a mind of it’s own. She wanted to say yes. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him, even though it seemed to barely start. “Yes,” She said breaking out into a grin. She couldn’t stop nodding. She felt like she was about to cry even. It was strange, she didn’t care.
Doug smiled, slipping the ring on her finger. He pulled her down for a kiss. One he didn’t want to end. He tumbled backwards, head hitting a chair, but he didn’t care. They broke apart and laughed. She buried her head in his chest, smiling. There wasn’t a better feeling than this.