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The crowds ebbed and flowed, with waves of beaming, awestruck faces capturing the warm glow of chain lights twinkling just above their heads. Each with foggy breath puffing tiny clouds through chapped lips and cold-touched noses. As the echoing peals of laughter ricochet around the clashing of modern steel and aged wood-clad cabins. It was such a warm and welcoming atmosphere for such a cold winter's day.
Gohan’s hand never strayed far from Erasa’s side; although amongst the cacophony of bustling bodies, it was hard to stay close, and while their fledgling relationship had filled the gap in intimacy, the act of public displays still drew an awkward hesitancy from the man. Yet when something caught the woman’s eye, all thoughts of etiquette seemingly disappeared out of the window.
Erasa looped her arm around Gohan's and tugged him through the crowd, past the queues for rides that spun high and fast, past the professionally decorated Christmas trees - each with measured placements of sparkling ornaments - and to the illuminated display at a photo point. “Gohan, look at these, aren’t they so sweet?”
Gohan cast an eye over the figures, quietly judging them. 'Sweet' wasn't quite the word that sprang to mind. Some were beautifully crafted, and some were completely misshapen and almost unidentifiable. He was sceptical of their appeal but could admit that they had something of charm. Gohan nodded his head once, and apparently this was construed as agreement. No sooner had he finished the action than he had been pulled into position alongside them, and Erasa was flagging down some poor unsuspecting souls to apparently take their pictures.
As if reading his mind, she raised a single index finger in the air, saying one thing: 'Stay right there, mister.' It was a testament to their earlier years of knowing each other that Gohan could clearly hear her voice saying that in his head.
He obliged and readied himself for the usual collection of poses while Erasa corralled someone. While he was waiting, Gohan's eyes trailed the crowd before they momentarily froze, before he let out a resigned sigh and the faintest grimace graced his features.
It wasn't the time spent with Erasa, it wasn't the jovial atmosphere at the event, and it wasn't even the familiarity that he had done this with an ex many years ago; it was that of all the many people flitting past that Erasa could have chosen to take their photo, it was that of a younger blue-haired woman.
“Son Gohan!?”
The accusatory squeal was enough to make his shoulders rise. There had always been something about the tone that every member of that family used that would trigger him to stand up that bit straighter. “Yes… It's me.” Perhaps it was a little more sheepish than he intended. Gohan had a level of unease settling in his bones as he started to survey the area. After all, years of experience taught him, where one was…
Erasa was still busy midway, holding her phone out to the newcomer woman, an awkward expression on her face as her eyes darted between the two.
“So who's this?”
Gohan stumbled over his words, rubning at the short hair on the back of his neck as his eyes still looked around them. “Oh, uh… this is, um, my… well, she’s-”
“I’m his girlfriend. Erasa." She stuck her hand out in greeting. "I wasn't sure he would get there on his own,” she chuckled. “And you are?”
The younger woman glared down at the offered hand and opened her mouth to reply.
“YO! GOHAN!”
Everyone's head whipped around at the sound. Incoming was a younger man, blessed in similar looks and bouncing black spikes, shopping bags snug in the crook of his elbow and the remains of a festive snack barely keeping itself together in his grip as he dodged every wayward step from the greater public while making his way towards them.
That was who Gohan had been worried about.
“Goten… What are you guys doing here? I thought you said you were going ice skating?”
“We are. Here.” He said, extending his arm to the surrounding illuminated environment. “What brings you here, though?” Goten looked at the accompanying woman, looking back and forth between them, before pausing and offering a small bow. “I'm Goten, this guy's little brother.” Goten nudged his shoulder into Gohan's before slinking an arm over the back of his neck.
Erasa smiled and opened her mouth to answer but her words were stolen.
The younger blue-haired woman turned to Goten - thumb rudely jutting at Erasa - and introduced her, “This is his new girlfriend… apparently.” before turning to look at Gohan with an inherited scowl. “Does your mother know you've got a new girl and are already taking her out on romantic dates?”
“Babe…” Goten put a hand on her lower back, giving her a pleading look.
“Tch. Fine.” She let out a harsh breath before crossing her arms with no intention of extending her hand in any meaningful greeting. “I’m Bulla.”
With a somewhat polite smile in return and all the ease of a practised greeting, Erasa turned and offered her phone to Goten to ask him to take the photos instead. He obliged, although his eyes were in constant conversation with Gohan as they clicked a few shots of the couple standing close.
Gohan's smile deepened as he felt Erasa’s warmth leaning into him, fondness marring his usual expression, despite the mishmash of illuminations that surrounded them at the photo point.
When they were done, Erasa offered to return the favour. Despite being met with questioning blue eyes, Bulla pulled Goten into a firm and well-practiced pose and embrace, their smiles fixed perfectly for the click of the shutter sound. A perfect shot.
Although the brothers shared a battle of eye contact about what to do next, it was Erasa’s voice that broke the stalemate.
“Great, so it seems we’re here for the same kind of fun then. We're off to ice skating next, aren't we, Gohan? Mind if we tag along with you two?”
Gohan tried his hardest to convey his reluctance with a pointed stare at Goten and a subtle shake of his head as he adjusted his glasses. But Goten was quite obviously in a boisterous mood, judging by the grin that started to form on the side of his mouth. Gohan could almost curse how much his younger brother looked like their father sometimes - the years may have aged and changed his features, but Goten still held that same boyish charm. And just as Gohan had anticipated, Goten accepted the invitation on behalf of the other couple, although Gohan noted that Bulla looked less than impressed about it.
The ice skating rink was busier than the first time that he and Erasa had passed it earlier, the uptick in people seeming to coincide with the pouring out of people from other rides and activities. They could have timed their visit better, but they were here now, so he might as well make the most of it and make something of a memory for the two of them.
However, it quickly became apparent just how new to ice-skating Erasa was. Her fledgling glides had seemed to have a tentative air of confidence at first. Gohan discovered that was short-lived, as she soon lost her footing and almost made a complete nose-dive had it not been for his quick movements, catching her mid-fall and pulling her close for better stability. It was easily laughed off, but Gohan wasn't about to let that happen again. It was easy to forget that with all the harsh winters growing up in Mt Paozu and the lake regularly freezing, his family were readily accustomed to the best way to manoeuvre on ice. Even Bulla had shared her fair amount of winter visits to their home and had at least a basic proficiency - even if she was seemingly trying to act more confident than usual today.
They continued on, Gohan's hands guiding her through the crowds, weaving just enough to avoid other floundering bodies and newly created divots in the ice, but not enough to cause Erasa to lose her balance again. Despite his initial reservations, it was nice. This woman, who knew most things about him - good and bad - still trusted him with her safety; her gloved hand held his tightly, and her dimpled, cold-blushed cheeks punctuated a wide smile. She was beautiful, and she chose him. Even after all these years, even after the different paths they had both taken, they still came back to be together.
He was happy, and when he looked at Goten in the distance, confidently twirling Bulla around on the ice, arms wrapped lovingly as bright smiles blossomed over their faces, he was content that Goten was happy too.
Looking down at their intertwined hands and under the chains of twinkling lights, the music had slowed to something more intimate, and their feet started to mirror each other, a synchronicity that felt so much more like a dance. They moved like water with the crowd that began to slow and ebb away. Erasa skidded slightly to halt right in front of his chest, eyes meeting and short puffs of breath between them. She tilted her chin upward, eyes aglow in the low light, slightly crinkled with warmth and happiness. He couldn't help but lean down to meet her, lips barely grazing.
It was only when he heard a shout that they became aware of the emptying ice rink. “Hey, lovebirds! The session’s ov- Ow, hey!” Goten called from near the rink gate before getting shoved in the arm by Bulla.
They should have parted after that. They should have been free to enjoy the winter wonderland at their own pace, freely exploring the activities and displays on offer. However, one suggestion turned into another, and both couples found themselves roped into playing games. A competitive edge soon emerged between the pairings, as they engaged in most of the rides and advertised activities while sampling the copious amounts of eclectic foods being touted at every stand.
On one occasion, leading the competitive mood, Gohan and Goten had signed themselves up for an ice sculpting session, much to the dismay of their respective partners. Erasa and Bulla could only look on as the two adult men allowed their brotherly rivalry to get the better of them.
With the way Gohan and Goten moved with such finesse and confident grins, anyone would think they were renowned ice artists.
Except, as the timer blared and they each stepped aside from their creation, it was apparent from their expressions that not even the two brothers could identify what the abominations of their submissions were.
As they both stood red-faced, the judging commenced, and it was the last straw for their respective girlfriends, who were barely containing their laughter. Especially when a piece of Goten's sculpture cracked off and only made it marginally better. All bets were off, and there was no stifling their raucous laughter.
Despite the loss, Gohan and Goten walked away in good spirits - laughter central to the conversation - with a participation rosette and a voucher for a free drink at one of the vendors.
The stallholder seemed delighted when the couples arrived at his booth, the rich scent of cinnamon and nutmeg enticing weary wonderland venturers to refresh themselves with soul-warming foods. Erasa placed her order first, small and just enough for one person, before ordering nothing short of a small feast alongside hers. She turned to the other couple and offered to place the same again - much to Bulla’s apparent chagrin, as Erasa had already tapped her card to pay. Despite the infrequent miniature displays of irritation of unknown origin from the younger woman, Erasa still held her polite smile.
As the four patrons waited for the mountain of ordered food to cook, Gohan tried to ignore the way that Goten was wiggling his eyebrows, obviously trying to gain his attention. Less than subtle his brother was, Gohan sighed internally before turning in the rough direction, spotting the basketball hoops that the younger was hinting at. Gohan was going to let it go until Goten sidled up to him, a cheeky taunt dancing in his smile.
Goten spoke casually to Bulla, no doubt loud enough for the true recipient to hear, “Did you hear what Piccolo was saying at the last get-together? He said I’d come very far, especially for my age, the fastest in fact, well since-”
“Fine.”
Goten let out a small yelp as Gohan hooked his arm around the younger's shoulder and turned, apologising backwards that he just 'had to deal with his brother and that he would be back soon' before proceeding to drag Goten in the direction of the basket hoop toss.
Erasa chuckled brightly at the brothers' shenanigans and called out after them, “We'll be fine. Come and find us when you're done. Good luck!”
It had only been a few minutes in their absence as they awaited the food order, but before Erasa could even begin to try and break the stagnant mood that seemed to lie between the two women, Bulla's voice, firm and borderline harsh, stated rather than discussed, “You don't know us, Erasa. You're new to this life and family.”
Taken aback by her words, Erasa had to take a moment to school her expression. A smile finding its way back onto her face, her voice even and polite, “A little rude, aren't you?”
“Excuse me?” Bulla’s tone was almost indignant. “You are an outsider. You don't know what that family has been through.”
Erasa leaned in slightly, no malice in her tone, only a resolution to stand her ground. “Actually, I've known Gohan for years. We used to go to high school together.” She smiled, fond memories flickering through her mind. “And surprisingly we ran into each other again last year.”
Bulla scoffed despite herself, “So you know… things about us?”
Tucking a loose strand of short blonde hair behind her ear, Erasa put her arms up and proceeded to strike a pose.
Even though she wasn’t around for the tournament, Bulla was regularly subjected enough to Gohan’s rendition of his old Saiyaman moves. Bulla let out a laugh, small at first, but it soon grew into a full belly chuckle. Here was a woman publicly demonstrating the same fond ridiculousness as the man she considered family.
“You really like him, huh?”
Erasa straightened herself up, a blush creeping across her cheeks, even more so when the stallholder cleared his throat at the display from the two women. Erasa feigned a smile that came off far too awkward and turned to Bulla to hide her face from the man. “Ahem, yeah, I do. He’s good to me, and I think I'm good for him too. He makes me smile and laugh, and I just love the way his face lights up whenever he talks about his work or his research. He's just him, and that makes him special enough to me without all the other stuff." A hint of shyness followed her admission. "I mean, you must have something like that with Goten, right?”
Bulla stared at her for a moment, seemingly taking in Erasa's words. When she spoke, her voice was softer and sincere, "That's how Goten makes me feel too. All our lives we've lived in the extraordinary, but he's the only person to ever truly make me feel special.”
For a moment, a quiet understanding passed between the two women. Only broken when their respective partners returned with wide smiles and arms now laden with colourful prizes.
The two couples spent the rest of their time exploring the winter wonderland, stopping to take pictures - some to post on their social media, some for new device wallpapers and some they knew would make their way home to their families. They tried their hands at various activities. The mixture from their attempt at making poorly designed gingerbread houses clung to Gohan's jacket sleeve and the edge of Erasa’s scarf. While remnants of the glitter cannon found themselves at home dusting Goten's hair and Bulla's cheek, where he nuzzled at her shortly afterwards. They had even spent time perusing the trinket-filled stalls for gifts for their loved ones while they emptied bags of candy floss between them.
The end of the evening took them to the enormous Ferris wheel at the centre of the venue. It stood almost as a beacon, adorned with fanciful lighting, just bright enough to attract attention but just subtle enough when sat in the cabins to allow for a somewhat romantic glow. It was a perfect bookend to a surprisingly enjoyable time. Time well spent with their partners, cementing existing bonds and perhaps even creating new ones.
In the cabin ahead, Goten's arms completely encapsulated Bulla’s frame, their smiles as vast as the view, as he whispered sweet nothings gently into her ear, making even the daughter of corporate royalty blush.
In their own cabin, rising high above the venue, twinkling lights sprawled out in every direction, the breeze nudging the cabin as they made their way around the giant wheel. There was snow in the air, a smattering of snowflakes shifting in a loose spiral, an elegant dance as they made their way through one open window and out the other.
They both marvelled at the view. To Gohan, it should not have been so worthy of awe - especially to those who had witnessed far greater heights - but for reasons unbeknown to him, Gohan could completely appreciate the sight. It was glorious as each rise and fall of attraction beckoning the masses glittered on the skyline. And as he looked to his side, tucked into his arm, warm and snug as she hummed with contentment, Gohan could agree, even without words, without years of history, without the undoubted connection, that he felt the same too.