Author's Note: I was inspired to write this after my friend pointed up into the sky one night when we were walking home and told me about Venus. I thought it sounded ridiculously romantic, but of course my gruff masculine side wouldn't admit it. So I expressed it here! By the way, Ash is seventeen here (Misty is a year older).

Stargazing

Misty's gaze was fixed on the starry sky, but the only thing that Ash considered to be worth looking at was his girlfriend's face. He readjusted himself on the grass and propped his head up on one hand. After a few moments Misty noticed him staring at her and she turned to look at him.

'What's so interesting?' she asked. 'Are the stars not pretty enough for you?'

'The stars have nothing on you,' said Ash with a crooked grin.

'Ash - that is so cringey!' cried Misty, pushing him playfully in the chest. He fell onto his back, chuckling softly. She pointed up into the sky, where the thin crescent moon shone brightly, despite its small size.

'Look! See that star above the moon? No – the one above it to the right?'

'Mmm?'

'That's Venus. It's the third-brightest object in the sky … after the sun and the moon. Isn't it beautiful?'

'I suppose.'

'It's named after an ancient goddess of love.'

'Yeah?'

'Don't you think that's romantic?'

'I guess.'

'Ash!'

'What?'

Misty propped herself up on her elbow and glared at him. He assumed a guilty expression, not entirely sure what he had done wrong. He couldn't help but notice that her face was lit by the pearly white light of the moon. Her frowning green eyes provided a mesmerising contrast to her pale, glowing skin.

'Show more enthusiasm!' she demanded. 'I didn't drag my ass all the way up this hill to listen to you grunting.'

'Sorry, Mist, but I'm a bit distracted,' he admitted.

'By what?' she snapped.

He raised himself up on his elbow to look her in the eye.

'By the most beautiful face in the world,' he whispered, leaning in closer. 'I know it sounds cringey – but the goddess of love is nothing compared to you.'

Even in the gathering darkness, he could see that Misty was blushing furiously. He had even rendered her momentarily speechless, which was an even bigger accomplishment. Not wishing to give her time to reply, Ash closed the distance between them and kissed her firmly on the lips. She tensed at first with surprise, but then eagerly responded, wrapping her arms around his waist. He pushed her gently back onto the grass and climbed on top of her, kissing her hungrily.

Dusk turned into night around them, and far above in the sky, the goddess of love winked at the pearly crescent moon.