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The rain was coming down in droves, pattering through the trees and soaking Videl through her shirt. She crossed her arms, scowling, as she followed Gohan deeper into the woods.
“This is ridiculous, Gohan. It’s pouring, and we’re obviously not going to see a single star. What are you thinking dragging us out here like this?”
She set her arms down with a dramatic wet slap against her hips as she halted suddenly in her tracks.
”Where are we going, anyway?”
Gohan stopped, doing his father’s genetics proud as he scratched the back of his head with a sheepish smile, glancing back at her through the droplets gathering on his new glasses. His eyesight had started to falter recently, and though he hadn’t yet found the nerve to wear his glasses at school, he had to admit they were proving useful shielding his eyes from the driving rain as he led Videl along.
”I know, I know…we’re almost there though, just a little further!”
He extended his hand toward her, hoping its warmth would reassure her and give her the strength to keep going.
”Please trust me—I swear my next exam grade on it!”
Videl muttered under her breath, crossing her arms again as she trudged past his invitation, eyes narrowed, as water dripped from her dark hair into the muddy puddles beneath her feet. Sure, she was tough, and with Gohan, she’d learned to expect the unexpected, but even she had her limits. She shot him a steely blue glare. There he was, striding away with that carefree grin, oblivious to the rain pouring down on them, drenching them both.
She fixed her gaze forward again as a small cabin nestled in a clearing began to emerge through the darkness. This has to be a joke, she thought, watching Gohan lead the way toward the dingy-looking structure that, apparently, was their destination.
The rain drummed loudly on the tin roof as they approached, filling the air with an oddly comforting sound after their cold journey. They stomped up the sloping wooden stairs to the front door, squeezing together under the small overhang that offered a sliver of shelter from the rain.
Gohan wiped the water from his brow and fumbled with the doorknob, finally nudging the stubborn entrance open with a flick of his hip. He stepped aside, gesturing for her to go in first.
”Here we are!” he announced, far too cheerfully for the otherwise dreary evening.
Videl shivered, hugging herself tightly as she stepped inside. “Gohan, I’m soaked!” she muttered immediately, shaking water off her hands and glaring at him. It was only then that Gohan seemed to notice her sopping wet state, his cheeks flushing red in embarrassment.
“Oh—sorry! Here, take my sweatshirt.” He quickly unzipped his raincoat, peeled his hoodie off and handed it to her. “I didn’t think… I mean, I should have thought about the rain and you not having a coat—I was just excited, I’m really sorry.” He turned around to give her some privacy as she slipped out of her drenched outer layer.
Grumbling, Videl took the sweatshirt and pulled it on, the warmth and familiar scent of him catching her off guard, easing some of her frustration in a way she hadn’t expected. She wrung out her black hair, letting out a sigh before finally taking in her surroundings. Her lips parted as her gaze traveled around the cabin, her eyes widening in awe, breath catching at the sight before her.
The cabin ceiling and walls were covered with hundreds of glow-in-the-dark stars and planets, arranged in dazzling constellations and patterns that seemed to come alive in the dim light. They bathed the room in a soft, green glow, like it had been dusted in a magical, luminous powder, an eerie radiance resembling vintage “after dark.” The effect was enchanting, casting an aura that made the simple plastic stickers appear to float and shimmer.
“I’m sorry it’s raining tonight,” Gohan murmured softly. “I know you really wanted to see the meteor shower.”
“When did you… how did you even find the time to do this?” Videl spun around on her heels as she continued to survey the swirling mosaic galaxies all around.
Gohan laughed, rubbing the back of his neck with a grin. “Turns out a promise of pizza and ice cream is all it takes to bribe Trunks and Goten into helping with anything!”
Videl blinked, a slow smile spreading across her face as she took in the scene. Reaching out, she took Gohan’s hand, giving it a light squeeze as she looked around in amazement. “You’re an idiot, Son Gohan,” she whispered. Meteor showers came and went for everyone to see, but this—her own little planetarium—was made just for her. “This is way more memorable.” She smiled and leaned in, aiming to give him a quick kiss on the cheek, but their lips collided as Gohan turned his head unexpectedly.
Both parties froze, eyes wide, faces turning a deep red. Gohan felt a warmth rush through him, a ripple of electricity sparking down his spine, lighting him up like the glowing stars above. Videl quickly pulled back, her expression shifting as if she’d just tried on something new, and discovered she liked the fit. With a steady breath, she leaned in again, this time letting the second, perfectly aimed kiss linger—a quiet declaration of something she hadn’t been sure she truly wanted until now.
Gohan cleared his throat and adjusted his glasses, as the kiss naturally, gently broke. He subsequently fumbled through his bag in a flustered attempt to distract himself, stealing intermittent glances at Videl, unsure of what to say or do next. Pulling out a thick blanket, a thermos, mugs, and a hefty, colorful book on astronomy, he glanced at her with a nervous smile. “Uh… figured we’d be all set for a night of stargazing right here with all this, if that’s ok,” he chuckled, spreading out the blanket on the cabin floor. His cheeks still burned as he settled down beside her, the warmth of their makeshift setup easing the tension.
Reaching into his bag one last time, he pulled out a small flashlight, clicked it on and positioned it to cast just enough light on the book. The soft glow highlighted his face as he opened to a bookmarked page and began reading. “Okay, so… the meteor shower tonight is called the ‘Perseids.’ They’re actually fragments of a comet, and when they hit Earth’s atmosphere, they burn up… and that’s what makes them glow.”
His voice picked up excitement as he continued, reading about the comet’s orbit and the rare intensity of the shower that was set to peak tonight. Videl listened intently, leaning in as his voice filled the small cabin. Slowly, she reached over, lacing her fingers through his. Gohan’s breath caught, and his voice wavered, his words trailing off as a new warmth rushed through him, fogging up his glasses. He paused, flustered, and took them off to wipe them clear.
Videl smirked, nudging him as she finally took notice of his new accessory. “Hey, four eyes, since when do you wear glasses?” she teased.
Gohan laughed, wiping the lenses before putting them back on. “Guess all those late nights studying finally caught up with me.”
Videl tilted her head and smiled softly. “Well… I kind of like them on you. You should wear them if you need them.”
Gohan’s face turned an even deeper shade of red as he slipped them back on, adjusting them with a shy smile. Videl leaned her head against his shoulder, their hands finding each other once more as they huddled together on the blanket. Gohan picked up where he’d left off, his voice softer now, blending with the steady percussion of the rain outside as he read her more facts about the meteor shower she’d wanted so much to see.
In the dim cabin, Videl closed her eyes and nestled closer, savoring every word Gohan read and every fleeting moment slipping by. The artificial stars, slowly dimming, became her silent reminder to hold onto each second, their fading light urging her to cherish this night before it too became engulfed by the relentless march of time. Steam rose gently from their clothes, the cold rain vaporizing in the heat of their shared intimacy, as the spark of young love ignited in a cozy glow.