Author's Note: Wow I got really carried away with this chapter! It's mostly a series of vignettes of Gohan and Videl's first date, so outside of their sweet, adorable romance, none of my planned subplots get started just yet. That said, I'm very pleased with the way it turned out! I only had the first and third scenes planned out when I started and I just kind of let the characters and their personalities guide me to what felt right and went with it. It was an interesting writing exercise that helped me connect with them in a very visceral way. That also might be why this chapter turned out to be 20 pages (LOL).
One little bit of creative license I've taken is that cell phones exist in this story. I hadn't even stopped to consider it before including them, but given the time DBZ was written, it wasn't much of a widespread reality just yet. Of course, if capsules that can shrink a time machine down to fit in your pocket exist, I don't think a cell phone is that big a leap either.
Thank you all so very much for the favorites, follows, views, and reviews! It's such a cool feeling to know people are actually reading and enjoying this! And the Friday upload day is still working! I'll say this a lot, but expect a lot of slow-burn, feel-good, mushy romance this time as well. But after the next chapter, the scope will widen and things will start to pick up more in terms of action and pacing. Until then, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoy just the fluffiest first date I could possibly envision for these two!
Chapter II – You're Worth Remembering
Saturday dragged on for what felt like years, but finally the day Gohan had looked forward to more than any other arrived. He was thrilled to have his father back at home but a big part of him just couldn't wait to see Videl again. It had barely been thirty-six hours and he already missed her more than anything or anyone else in the world. He honestly wasn't sure how he'd lived so long without her in his life.
The wind blew his hair back as he flew towards Satan City again, his stomach filled with nervous butterflies. It was early still, too early to really be heading to pick up Videl, but he just couldn't wait any longer. He had involuntarily awakened at 7:30am, unable to calm his anxious mind any longer, choosing instead to get himself ready for their date. And after pacing nervously around the house for a while, his mom had finally managed to calm him down enough to have breakfast. That he had been too wound up to properly enjoy that breakfast was an entirely new feeling for him. Even prior to the Cell Games, he and his father had never taken for granted a good meal. But where Cell couldn't rattle his basest of Saiyan instincts, Videl could. And she did it so effortlessly, too.
As he had been about to leave, his mom had pressed a small capsule into his hands. "It's a bouquet of flowers. I don't care how young people nowadays do it, no son of mine is going to show up to a first date without flowers!" While he very much appreciated his mom looking out for him, now he had even more anxiety about the morning.
Would Videl appreciate flowers? Most of his female classmates would probably have squealed and flung themselves on the arm of any guy who gave them flowers on a first date. But Videl wasn't your typical girl after all and his other female classmates didn't spend their free time studying martial arts or dueling thugs in the streets. And while he was sure she would appreciate that they were a gift from him, he couldn't help but worry if it was the right kind of gift to give her.
'I wonder if I look okay…' Gohan had spent a long while considering different outfits but hadn't really loved any of them. In the end, he'd settled on a pair of tan slacks with a light blue button down. He'd tried to dress a little nicer without being as formal as his mom wanted him to be. They weren't going anywhere fancy, just back to Mt. Paozu after all. But still, it was important to him that he make a good impression for his first date with Videl, even if they were already together.
It still felt like a dream when he thought about that, even when he'd told his family yesterday afternoon. When he had announced he was dating Videl, his mother had practically leapt from her chair at the table, loudly wondering when the wedding would be. Goten had been happy to hear the news; he liked her already and was happy to have a big sister figure around. His dad definitely knew her least of all, but he was very relaxed about the whole situation, which was no surprise. Gohan had found himself wondering if his father even understood what 'dating' was, considering his past with his mom. But he was very in favor of Videl as a person it seemed, based on what he had said the previous afternoon.
"I remember when she looked me in the eyes and told me I was wrong about Buu having killed you, that you were still alive and out there somewhere. And she showed me; she was right! It sure seems like Videl has a very special bond with you, Gohan."
He couldn't help but smile at the memory. They did have a special bond. It was young and budding still, but every time he looked at her, he knew there was no one else in this world like her. And the young Saiyan found that all he really wanted right now was to spend every waking moment he could with her. He wanted to learn more about her, tell her about himself, become the kind of partners that people knew were perfect for each other, just at a glance.
As Satan City came into view on the horizon, he broke out of his daze, surprised he was already so close. Though he had tried to pace himself, Gohan's nervousness had made him fly faster than he meant to. The butterflies intensified at the thought of finally seeing Videl again. She had consumed almost every thought he'd had since the day before. Every time his family fell into comfortable silence, he imagined her hand in his. Both nights as he'd fallen asleep, his mind had drifted back to the kisses they'd shared and his heart did leaps and backflips in his chest. And now, as he approached her home, he couldn't shake off the jittery nerves he felt as he went over the day's plan for the twentieth time that morning. He wanted today to be perfect.
Gohan touched down at 9:40am, standing before the steps that led to the ornate entrance of the Satan Mansion. He was a little embarrassed that he'd shown up quite so early but decide to just go up to the door. If nothing else, he could chat with Mr. Satan if Videl wasn't ready just yet. He rang the doorbell and forced his body to wait patiently, despite the anxious feeling that squeezed his chest.
A middle-aged man he'd never seen before answered the door. He had greying hair and wore a dark suit, clearly a member of the staff Mr. Satan employed. He introduced himself as Gill and asked what brought Gohan here.
Gohan gave the man a smile. "I'm Son Gohan, I'm here to pick up Videl for our date today." The man allowed a warm smile to eclipse his stoic features.
"Ah Master Gohan, I've been informed you would be arriving soon. Please come in, come in." He stepped back and beckoned Gohan inside, closing the large door before facing him again with an air of dignified professionalism that rivaled the intensity of Piccolo.
"I shall go inform Madam Videl of your arrival. Please, make yourself comfortable in the den and she will be right with you, I'm sure." Before he could head towards the stairs, however, a loud, familiar voice called from the back room.
"Is that Gohan? Hey! Come on back to the entertainment room!"
Gohan smiled at the voice of Mr. Satan calling out to him. Gill explained how to reach the room in question – straight towards the back of the house, just past the kitchen and dining room – and Gohan nodded, thanking him, before wandering through the halls of the mansion.
It was really quite impressive. The high, vaulted ceilings, the patterned tile on the floors, the awards and paintings that decorated the bright walls. It was grand, yes, but not quite as cozy as Gohan would have preferred for himself. His warm little home with his family suited him much better.
He could hear a television somewhere up ahead and assumed that was where he was going. There were many sights he was expecting to see once he finally rounded the corner, but nothing he imagined even came close to the reality playing out before his eyes.
Mr. Satan was sitting on the couch in a burgundy robe, laughing raucously. In his lap was the little pup from the other day, Bee. He was rolling around and playing tug of war with a rope toy that Mr. Satan himself held the other end of. And finally, Majin Buu sat on the other end of the couch, shoveling popcorn into his mouth from two separate bags he held onto. Between humongous mouthfuls, Buu would laugh uproariously at the old slapstick TV show that was on the large screen before them. With thoughts of his first date the sole focus of his mind, Gohan had completely forgotten about Buu. What a sight this was…
"Hey Gohan!" Mr. Satan called over the TV, waving him closer and laughing loudly again. The young warrior approached the couch, still trying to shake off his surprise. He had lived through a lot of strange things in his lifetime so far, but this moment right here – being casually greeted by Mr. Satan as he watched old comedy shows with Majin Buu and his pet dog – was easily the strangest. He pulled himself together quickly and adopted a smile.
"Good morning, Mr. Satan. How are you?"
"I'm good! Buu broke a few pieces of furniture the other night but it's nothing I can't replace! Videl should be ready soon, I was with her for breakfast just a little while ago."
Gohan's smile widened at the mention of his girlfriend. He couldn't wait to see her, despite the nerves that had almost gotten the better of him the entire morning. Deciding to focus on something more productive in the meantime, he addressed Mr. Satan again.
"What time would you like her to be home tonight?" Gohan figured it was best to get on the man's good side so he'd trust the two of them. It never hurt to win over early someone you wanted in your corner.
"Probably not way too late, you both have school tomorrow after all. But Videl said you had a few surprises planned for today after you called last night. So how early would be so early that it'd mess up your plans?"
Gohan was shocked for a moment. Mr. Satan had so quickly gone from "you will never date my daughter" to "what time do you want to bring her home" that it made his head spin a bit. Nonetheless, he decided to pick a time that was fair for getting her home without ruining his last surprise of the day.
"Uh, in that case, would something around 9:00pm be okay?" Gohan leaned in and began to speak the plan for the day into his ear, not wanting to say it too loudly in case Videl entered the room just then. Mr. Satan nodded and grunted his understanding at each part. Finally, after Gohan was done, the man sat back and smiled.
"I love it! And she'll love it too, Gohan. It sounds like a perfect first date to me. 9:00pm is perfectly fine, just as long as she gets home safe and sound."
"You have my word I'll never let anything happen to her."
"Papa! You're greeting Gohan in your robe?"
An incredulous voice sounded loudly from behind him and Gohan turned to see the girl of his dreams watching the sight in disbelief.
"Sorry Sweetpea, I didn't go back up to change after breakfast, Buu wanted to watch TV." The large pink creature let out a loud laugh that sprayed half-chewed popcorn across the rug in front of him, causing Videl to grimace and turn away. Mr. Satan scratched his head and smiled sheepishly. "He still has some table manners to learn…"
Gohan had barely heard that exchange though. His eyes had fallen on Videl when she'd walked in and he hadn't yet managed to break the hypnotic control she had over him. Her outfit was entirely different from anything he'd ever seen her in. She wore a sleeveless summer dress that matched her cerulean eyes almost perfectly, with a cropped, white jacket over top. Her usual choice of boots adorned her feet, but this pair was a solid shade of black as opposed to her usual set. It was all Gohan could do to keep his mouth from falling open in amazement. He just couldn't believe how beautiful she looked. It was like she was shining. Everything else in the room was muted and dull compared to her.
"Good morning, Gohan," she finally said in a sweet, delicate tone, quite the difference from the scolding she'd given her father moments before. Gohan met her eyes and tried not to blush any more than he already was.
"G-good morning Videl, it's good to see you. Uh, here, these are for you," he managed a little awkwardly. He grabbed the capsule from his pocket and pressed the switch, a generous bouquet of pink carnations appearing in his hands. Videl's eyes widened and a dazzling smile stole her lips.
"Gohan, these are beautiful! Thank you so much!" She took the flowers and sniffed them deeply, gazing at Gohan with boundless affection.
Mr. Satan nodded his approval, smiling subtly. Buu looked on as well, curious if they were some kind of snack he could try, but Mr. Satan distracted him with another bag of popcorn, sighing in relief as his companion immediately got to work on it.
"Hang on, let me go put these in water!" Videl darted out of the room and into the kitchen. A Cheshire grin slowly spread across Mr. Satan's face and he spoke quietly. "Flowers huh? That's a little old fashioned these days, isn't it?"
Gohan chuckled a bit. "Honestly, I've never done this before so I'm not sure myself. I'm just glad Videl seems to like them."
"I like them too! Though I like that you treat her like a princess even more!" Gohan couldn't manage to stop his cheeks from burning.
Luckily, he was spared as Videl returned with the flowers, placed in a sparkling crystal vase. Setting it on the nearby dining table and admiring them one more time, she turned on her heel and approached Gohan again, squeezing his hand subtly.
"Are we all ready to head out then?" she asked happily, an easy smile on her pink lips. Gohan nodded and watched as she crossed the room and gave her dad a big hug.
"Now you be careful out there Videl. I trust Gohan to keep you safe, but don't take any chances, okay? Gohan said he'd bring you back by 9:00 tonight, but don't stress yourself out worrying about the time. Just go have fun. I want you to."
Videl watched her father with wonder in her eyes. She had probably never imagined in all her life that her father would tell her "don't worry about your curfew so much" on her first date.
She just smiled at him and nodded. "I'll be careful Papa, and we'll be home before you start to worry. Promise."
Mr. Satan beamed one last time at them before nodding. "All right then! You two get outta here, there's no way you want to spend your first date watching TV with me and Buu!"
"You got that right," Videl whispered to Gohan as she joined him at his side, earning a light chuckle from him.
Videl started to lead Gohan out of the room and he called over his shoulder. "Thanks Mr. Satan, see you tonight!" The man waved merrily before returning to his TV show, laughing loudly with Buu once more.
They finally stepped outside the front door again, the pleasant morning sunshine and cool breeze invigorating them. Gohan turned towards Videl but immediately found himself on the receiving end of a sweet kiss. Recovering much more quickly than the other day, he caught her in his arms and kissed her back, his face burning, his heart racing, his stomach flipping over inside him. He had dreamed about kissing her again for two nights but that hadn't even come close to the real thing.
Videl pulled back and offered a sheepish little smile. "I missed you so much."
"I missed you too," he reassured her, reaching out and taking her hand in his. It was soft and warm, just like he remembered it being back on the Lookout.
Without realizing he'd been doing it, he caught himself admiring her outfit again. "I had to do a double take when you came in wearing such different clothes, it's so different from what I'm used to seeing you in."
"Is that a bad thing?" her eyes narrowed as a familiar smirk played across her lips. Her tone was squarely in the middle of accusatory and somewhat playful.
Gohan waved his hands in front of him hurriedly. "No, no, not at all! You look incredible! Sorry, that came out all wrong!"
Videl giggled and grinned up at him. "Don't worry Gohan, I knew what you meant. I was just teasing you! But thank you, you look pretty handsome yourself," she sang, offering a playful wink. Her efforts earned her a half-blush as he reached up and rubbed the end of his nose awkwardly. She stepped near him and her grin softened into a gentle smile, earning his gaze back effortlessly.
The new couple gazed into each other's eyes, azure sapphire meeting deep onyx, and pulled the other into a tight hug. Gohan felt her arms wrap around him and her head rest against his chest. The familiar warm fuzziness that could only make him think of her rushed back to him in full force and he pulled her even closer against himself, kissing the top of her head. Even though she was smaller than he was, he felt so safe and loved in her arms, like he could trust her with anything at all and she'd stay by his side, no matter what.
"So what's the plan for today?" she asked softly from below his chin, preserving the calm air. Gohan smiled widely at her.
"Some of it's a surprise, but I figured we'd start by flying back to Mt. Paozu and I can show you around the mountain some? I've lived there my whole life and there are so many beautiful places I'd love to share with you." Videl lit up in a heartbeat.
"That sounds like so much fun! Yes please! I never get the chance to see actual nature, just this big, concrete sandbox."
Gohan chuckled and felt her squeeze him affectionately. "Then boy do I have a treat for you!"
They stepped back from the other's embrace and looked up at the sky, preparing to take flight. Before they did, though, Gohan reached out and took her hand again, intertwining his fingers with hers. It was Videl's turn to blush from the unexpected gesture and she looked up at him, eyes sparkling.
"Shall we?" he asked, his trademarked grin spreading across his face. Videl squeezed his hand and nodded. And a moment later, the young couple left the ground, rising gently into the sky together, their hands never once letting go of the other.
Videl had spent several days on Mt. Paozu with Gohan before the tournament, but it was never any less breathtaking than the first time she saw it. In fact, it might even be more beautiful now that she got to be close with Gohan while she were here. They touched down in front of his house and he laughed from beside her. He had warned her that Goku and Goten might be sparring and indeed they were. Very aggressively.
She was impressed the young boy could keep up with his father at all, but she also had to keep her jaw from hitting the ground as she watched the speed and fury they moved with. Those kinds of moves were enough to kill an ordinary human, but the two warriors before her were laughing and grinning as they traded blows. They were also golden again. 'This might take some getting used to…'
Goten dodged a punch from Goku before calling for a time out and turning to face the couple, a big smile on his face. "Welcome home Gohan! Hi Videl!"
The excitable little boy came running over to them, throwing his arms around Gohan's waist for a quick hug. His older brother ruffled his wild hair before complimenting him on his training. Goten lit up and quickly rattled off the exercises his dad had been teaching him that morning. When Goten finally let go, he turned to Videl and smiled at her a little shyly, his eyes finding the grass beneath his feet. Sensing his hesitation, Videl laughed lightly.
"Oh come here, you goof! After everything we've been through you get a hug from me, too!"
Goten lit up and ran to Videl who knelt down and hugged him. When he stepped back, she looked at him in amazement. "You have some pretty serious moves there Goten! But I wasn't sure it was you for a minute, I'm still not used to seeing you with blonde hair."
Goten chuckled sheepishly and powered down, his black hair reappearing in an instant. "Don't worry, it's me! What are you and big brother up to today?" he asked, his innocent curiosity getting the better of him.
"Some of it's a surprise, but apparently he's going to show me his favorite places on the mountain." Videl couldn't help but smile up at Gohan while she said that.
"Oh that sounds fun! Can I come too?"
"Now, now, Goten," came the gently chiding voice of Goku as he approached the trio. "You shouldn't interrupt their date!"
Gohan and Videl both flushed a bit at his words but silently said their thanks to him. His own blonde hair swayed in the morning breeze, almost the exact same shape at Goten's. She hadn't appreciated until now just how much the young boy looked like a mirror image of his father.
"What's a date?" Goten asked, his face twisting in confusion. Goku considered him for a moment as Videl stood again. She was hoping his answer would satisfy the boy.
"You know…I don't really know!"
Gohan and Videl laughed a bit awkwardly but Goku took it in stride, placing his hands on Goten's shoulders and kneeling down in front of him. "All you really need to know is that it's something couples do alone together, so if you and I went with them we'd be intruding. Besides, are you really gonna leave your old dad out here in the fields to train alone? You're getting really good! If you keep improving, I'll show you how to be a Super Saiyan 2 without needing to fuse with Trunks," Goku's sing-song voice enticed his youngest son effortlessly. Goten jumped up into the air and cheered.
"Yay! I'm gonna be stronger than Trunks! Let's keep training!" The excitable boy dashed away from the group and back towards the tree, where he transformed again.
Goku smiled at the two and rose to his full height again. Wow he was tall. But then, so was Gohan. His words pulled her back to reality a moment later. "Sorry about that Videl, you know how excited he can get! It's good to see you again!"
Videl smiled back, knowing all too well how true that was. "It's good to see you too. Welcome home! I don't understand everything, but I know you've been away from your family for a long time. I'm glad you get to be with them again."
Goku's smile turned gentle, serene. "It's really good to be back here with my family on this mountain. But hey, we can talk about me another time! I'd better go entertain Goten so he'll let the two of you be alone today. Enjoy your date!"
"Thank Dad, see you soon," Gohan called after him as he hurried off to continue sparring with Goten. "They're really something else, aren't they?" Gohan grinned as he looked over at Videl. She nodded, watching them spar in awe again.
"You know, no matter how many times I see you all fight like that, I just can't get used to it," she managed quietly, a bemused half-grin on her face. Gohan laughed next to her.
"I bet you could fight like that too. It would just take a little more work mastering your ki, honestly. You have it in you already." Videl blushed a lovely shade of pink as she looked up at her boyfriend.
"You really think so? You're not just saying that are you?" she teased, narrowing her eyes the way she had earlier. He held his hands up again but picked up on her lightheartedness, laughing instead of panicking this time.
"Not at all, you're already an amazing martial artist! If you keep learning ki control the way I was taught, there's no limit to what you could do!"
Smiling and catching his arm in hers, she gazed into his eyes. "Thanks Gohan, I'll take you up on that someday then! But for today, we have a date to get to, don't we?"
Gohan nodded, his excited grin stealing those enticing lips again. "We sure do! So how about we go for a little walk through the forest and I'll take you to one of the most beautiful places on the mountain?" Videl smiled at him, nodding eagerly.
"That sounds amazing!"
Gohan led Videl through the forest for a while, pointing out so many different landmarks that he remembered from growing up there as a child. She'd seen the tree he'd accidentally knocked over when he was training with Goku eight years ago, the nest of some of his oldest animal friends (though they seemed to be out today), and the river he'd learned to fish in when he was only four. The scenery was breathtaking and Videl found herself enamored with each and every sight that graced her eyes.
She was a city girl, through and through. She had been born in Orange Star City a year before Gohan and she'd lived there ever since. Only after Cell had been defeated and her father had taken the credit did her family become very well off money-wise. They had never struggled thanks to her father's tournament winnings, but the Satan Mansion on the outskirts of town hadn't existed until seven years ago. Her childhood, as a result, had been spent right in the heart of the metropolis, with cars, lights, loud voices, and towering buildings that blocked out the sunlight.
Because of that, she wasn't really in tune with nature. The most beautiful sight she saw in a day was the sunrise as it lit up the concrete jungle now named after her father or, more recently, the rolling green hills outside of town that she could see when she practiced her flying. But here, on Mt. Paozu, it was almost as if she were on another planet entirely, a planet untouched by human hands.
Clear, sparkling streams traced gentle paths through the foliage. Bright green underbrush blanketed the bases of strong, sturdy tree trunks that adorned the path through the forest. Even the ivy that climbed those trunks seemed vibrant and luscious. The flowers were little starbursts of color dotting the landscape, subtle and vibrant hues dancing in the gentle breeze. There was a feeling of tranquility in the air that she had rarely experienced before, an untouchable serenity. This was a little slice of perfection, this mountain, a secret place only a few people knew about. A place she was lucky enough to be welcomed into by her Gohan.
Gohan. As she walked hand in hand with him, her eyes were drawn away from the majesty of the mountain and back to the handsome young man at her side. Gazing upon him reaffirmed something Videl had been idly curious about; despite the incredible forest around her, nothing was quite as incredible as he was.
For as taken with the natural surroundings as she was, Gohan was still her strongest focus. His thick, spiky hair (with that one adorable lock always out of place) caught the breeze the same way the flowers did, dancing merrily on its brush strokes as it painted the pastel sky. His dark eyes always made her feel warm and giddy when she looked into them. She couldn't help but glow every time she looked at his handsome face or watched as that goofy grin captured his delightfully soft lips.
That wasn't all she had noticed today, though. She'd been aware of it for quite a while, but once she had seen him in his Gi, she'd never been able to chase the image of him in it from her mind. He was so impossibly well built and attractive. Despite the fact that he wore different clothing today, she could still trace the definition of his chest with her eyes, strong muscles defined as if he were chiseled from marble. His biceps? Oh, how she wanted to curl up in his strong arms and stay there, hidden away against his sculpted body where she only had to think about him.
And of course, there were his large hands. They were calloused lightly from years of training and fighting, but there was a tenderness to them that allayed the strength of the warrior he was with the gentle heart he possessed. Gohan was a kind, giving soul, one of the most loving and caring people she'd ever been lucky enough to know. He wasn't a ruthless warrior or killer, despite the fact that he'd fought against those kinds of monsters for so long now. And even though he had tremendous strength in spades, he never misused it. He was truly perfect.
"Videl?"
His sonorous voice broke her from her reverie and she shook her head, blushing badly. Trying to cover for getting lost in thought about him, she offered what she hoped was a confident response…which instead just came out as a stammering jumble of words.
"Huh? Um, yeah? W-what's up Gohan? Everything, uh, okay?"
Gohan smiled lightly and chuckled. "Yeah! I was just asking if you wanted to stop for lunch soon. We've been out here for a little while and I don't want you to go hungry."
She hadn't even heard the first time he asked that question. He really could get inside her head without even trying, huh? Shaking off the last of the trance she'd found herself in, she smiled at last. "Yeah, we can eat soon! Were we heading back to your house for lunch?"
His onyx eyes twinkled in the sunlight. "No, I actually have a little surprise for you, the first of the day!" Videl couldn't keep the wide, silly grin off her face as she watched Gohan positively lit up with excitement.
"I'd love to see what you have planned."
Gohan eagerly led her a bit deeper into the forest before stopping at last. There was nothing particularly different about the area they were in, though it was still lovely.
"Is this it?" she asked, a bit confused. Gohan shook his head.
"Not quite. Do you trust me?" he asked her directly. Videl was so caught off guard by the bluntness of his question, she blushed and struggled to find her words. After a long moment, she managed a subtle nod.
"Of course, I trust you with anything."
"Would you mind closing your eyes? I want to lead you there so you see it all at once." Videl smiled demurely, fiddling with the hem of her short jacket. It was such an innocuous little request, but he'd asked her so seriously if he trusted her. It really didn't take much effort for him to fluster her.
"I don't mind at all, Gohan." She closed her eyes and felt him wrap an arm around her waist to support her more directly. She nearly squeaked at the unexpected contact but managed to keep her voice under control…not that she really would have minded if she hadn't. After a few moments of walking, Gohan eased her to a gentle stop and she felt him step behind her.
What she hadn't expected was Gohan to wrap his arms around her from behind, gently cradling her against him. This time she couldn't help the small, excited noise that escaped her throat and her eyes almost shot open. She resisted though and placed her hands on top of his, nestling into his touch until she had calmed down. This felt amazing.
"Open your eyes Videl," he whispered. His breath brushed her ear and she shivered delightfully, letting her eyelids drift open. And she gasped at the unbelievable sight in front of her.
A lake, more serene and pristine than she'd ever seen, stretched out before her. The surface looked as if it were made of glass, reflecting everything above it in a perfect mirror image. It was so clean, in fact, she could all but see the bottom of the lake wherever she looked. Towering oak trees surrounded it, the enormous canopy they provided shielding the water from the world outside, though some stray beams of sunlight managed to sneak their way through. the dense leafage. Those splashes of sundrops glittered off the crystalline surface of the water, shimmering pinpoints of light dancing through Videl's vision. A few small animals were drinking from the lake on the far side, sending gentle ripples along its surface. Birds sang from nearby branches and a soft breeze swept through the clearing, rustling the short grass and her own hair. She looked up towards Gohan, eyes wide with wonder and amazement.
"This place is incredible!"
Gohan nodded, a gentle smile never leaving his own face. "It really is. I found this place when I was a little kid. I was out here playing with my animal friend Icarus and he led me here. I'm so happy it took your breath away the same way it does mine."
Videl leaned further into his embrace, threading her fingers between his. "Thank you so much for bringing me here. I've truly never seen anything like it."
"I figured we could have a picnic here, if you like," he revealed, his voice as serene as their surroundings.
Videl turned her head just enough to see Gohan's face above her, a wide smile capturing her lips, her teeth catching the stray sunlight and sparkling up towards him.
"That sounds like heaven."
After the picnic blanket had appeared from a capsule and they had placed it on the ground, Gohan tossed a few more towards it, revealing a large assortment of food he and his mom (but mostly his mom...) had prepared the night before: sandwiches, Caesar salads. freshly prepared fruits and vegetables, dumplings, and many other things he'd asked her to put together to spoil Videl. He wasn't much of a cook himself, but his mother had been thrilled to help him make a good first impression.
When he glanced back over, Videl was removing her boots and setting them on the corners of the blanket to hold it in place. Gohan did the same and soon the blanket was secure. When he turned back though, he was again mesmerized by the sight of her.
Videl was removing her white jacket, leaving her in just her blue sundress. His eyes fell first on her slim shoulders before trailing down to her exposed upper back, then down to her toned calves. It was hardly an immodest dress, but Gohan couldn't help but be enchanted by how much of her smooth skin was visible to his eyes than usual. He wasn't used to seeing her in anything outside of her school clothes or her training outfit. He wanted to hold her even closer than before, to wrap his arms around her and never let her go.
As she turned slightly to set her jacket down too, his longing gaze fell upon her face...her beautiful, angelic face. He was so enamored with everything about her. Those sapphire eyes that had won his heart what felt like a lifetime ago. Her adorable little button nose that he wanted to plant all sorts of gentle kisses on. Her soft, pink lips that tasted faintly of strawberries whenever they kissed. The way her short, raven-black hair danced in the gentle afternoon breeze. That smile of hers that could light up the darkest night. Everything about her was perfection. And Gohan truly thought he was the luckiest man in the world to be able to call her his girlfriend.
"What is it?" came Videl's joyful voice, smiling at him as she approached from the other side of the blanket. She'd caught him staring and Gohan didn't even realize it.
"You're so beautiful," he managed without thinking. It was only when Videl blushed badly and looked down as a shy smile eclipsed her face that Gohan realized what he'd said to her.
"Uh, sorry Videl! I didn't mean to…to make you feel awkward or anything. I just…that's what I was really thinking about…"
The young woman looked back up at him, keeping eye contact despite the fire in her cheeks. "It made me really happy, Gohan, thank you. You never have to apologize to me for saying things like that. Besides, I never wear stuff like this really, it's nice to know I can actually pull it off."
Gohan smiled sheepishly, his hand finding that back of his head again. "I just wanted to make sure I hadn't taken you by surprise too much."
She shook her head, positively glowing despite her embarrassment. "Not at all. You're not the only one with things like that on your mind. I was thinking about how impossibly handsome you are before you asked about lunch. Why else do you think I didn't answer you at first?"
It was Gohan's turn to blush fiercely. Of course he thought she was attractive, but she felt the same way about him? That was a new feeling. Erasa and some of the other girls at school had been shameless flirts towards him for a few weeks now and had told him how attractive he was, but he never really thought much of it. It was only Videl that made him feel special when she said it. It was only her words that could send him into a giddy daze of embarrassment and happiness like nobody else possibly could.
"Uh, thanks, Videl. I…it really makes me happy to know that."
She took his hand and pulled him gently towards the ground with her. Finally settled on the blanket together, she nestled close to Gohan, burying her face in his neck and nuzzling him lovingly. Gohan couldn't help the content sigh that escaped his lips as he wrapped his arms around her, feeling her warmth under his touch again. She'd been pretty affectionate the other day when they'd confessed, but this felt different, somehow. Like he was seeing the softest, most vulnerable part of her being, and she was willingly showing him.
"Nobody has ever made me feel this special. And nobody else ever will," she whispered from beneath his chin.
"I'll show you just how special you are to me each and every chance I get, Videl."
"I love you so much Gohan."
"I love you too, so very much."
The young couple said nothing else for a time after that. They simply sat together, holding each other and enjoying the bliss of their love, magnified by the tranquil clearing they found themselves in. It was as if the world stood still, allowing them a few uninterrupted moments to fully take in the presence of the other, to enjoy the warmth of the love they shared, the depths of the feelings they held.
Gohan had spent most of his life training and had learned to be quite calm and centered through meditation as a result. But nothing he'd ever experienced had made him as calm and happy as Videl did right at that very moment.
'You know, if we just stayed like this forever…that would be perfect. I want her right here with me every day.' And that was the first time Gohan had the thought that he wanted Videl by his side for the rest of his life.
"Here, try a dumpling, they're amazing!"
Videl grinned up at Gohan as he excitedly pushed one of his mother's specialty items into her empty hands. She had seen the way the young boys had eaten up on the Lookout but hadn't been sure if Gohan would share in their unfettered love of all things edible. It appeared he did, though with a bit more dignity than the kids had displayed. He ate happily and quickly, far quicker than she did, but he wasn't inconsiderate of her either, offering her as much of any dish as she wanted. She imagined he was like that with everyone, her perfect Gohan.
She took a bite of the dumpling, her eyes immediately widening as the satisfying flavor burst across her taste buds. He watched her eagerly as she started chewing faster, staring in disbelief at the treasure she now realized was resting in her hands. "Gohan, this is so good! Your mom cooks things like this for you all the time?"
"Yeah, she does! She's an amazing cook, and very proud of the fact that we all love her dishes so much!"
"I would be too! Can I come eat dinner with you from now on?"
"You know I'd be happy to have an excuse to see you every night."
Videl took another bite of the dumpling, so distracted by the otherworldly combination of base, spice, and sauce that she couldn't even blush at his compliment. "If Papa doesn't mind, I really might!"
"Please do!" Gohan hadn't stopped eating either, but the twinkle in his dark eyes assured her that he was only half-kidding.
"I wouldn't want to impose on your mom like that," she admitted at last, finishing her last bite of dumpling and relishing the flavor for a moment. "But if the invitation is really open, I'd be happy to join you all from time to time."
"You're always welcome with us Videl. I won't overdo it since I know you'd feel bad, but I'll invite you over for dinner as much as you're comfortable!"
Videl smiled up at him, reaching out and seizing another dumpling. It was unlike anything she'd ever tasted. She had to have more.
"Don't forget the salad, it's your favorite!"
It certainly hadn't been lost on her that Gohan had included Caesar salads in their picnic spread but hearing him say it like that…it was almost as if it had been deliberate.
She vaguely remembered mentioning her favorite foods in front of him at some point weeks ago. It had just been an offhand conversation with her friends at school though. They'd been sitting at their desks between classes and chatting. Sharpner was wondering where the best restaurant for a date would be, something affordable for a high schooler but not just a common fast-food place. Erasa had brought up a quaint little diner near the school that was the reason her favorite food was now pancakes.
In an effort to include him, Erasa asked Gohan what his favorite foods were. He had answered he just liked anything, something Videl had scoffed at back then but now realized was likely a very honest answer.
Of course, the topic of food had continued from there. Sharpner claimed nothing beat a good steak, any kind, as long as it was cooked properly with the right seasoning. It had been Gohan that asked Videl what her favorite foods were. She had offhandedly answered that okonomiyaki and Caesar salads were her two favorites. They had all accepted it and moved on, but apparently Gohan had remembered that little tidbit of information all this time. It was enough to make her want to hug him as hard as she could.
"Gohan," she began, reaching for one of the wrapped salads. He didn't answer as he was in the middle of finishing off half a dumpling himself, but he looked at her curiously. "You really remembered my favorite foods from that dumb conversation we had with Erasa and Sharpner back at the beginning of the school year?"
He finished his mouthful of food and smiled at her, a warmth in his eyes that made her feel weak and lovesick. "Of course! I remembered everyone's favorite foods at first just in case it ever came up. I guess I am pretty good at memorizing stuff," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. Videl's heart rate quickened. How was he so cute when he did that?
"But after a while…yours was the only one I really actively remembered. Okonomiyaki isn't something my mom is really comfortable making at home and I can't imagine how badly it would've turned out if I'd tried it, so I figured I'd just take you out for that sometime. But even I can put together a Caesar salad, so I thought I would for today!"
Videl paused for a moment, staring at the salad and then back up at Gohan. "Wait, so it wasn't even your mom who made the salads for us? It was you?"
"Yeah! I'm not a very good cook, I'll be honest. But if there's one thing I'm good for in a kitchen, it's combining ingredients in a bowl and mixing them up!" A genuine laugh escaped his lips. "Besides," he continued, earning her admiring gaze once more.
"I wanted to make your favorite food for you."
Videl felt her heart leap in her chest. Actually, she thought, 'leap' wasn't even the right word for what she'd just felt. It was as if her heart had vaulted off a springboard and twirled through the air several times before landing perfectly back in place and picking up its steady (and elevated) rhythm again.
She placed the salad bowl back on the blanket and leaned closer to Gohan, giving him a sweet kiss on the cheek. This time, her actions were enough to make him bashful too. A noticeable red flush crept across his handsome face.
"You are the sweetest person I've ever met in all my life," she told him softly, unable to contain the enormous smile on her face. "Thank you for remembering that."
"You're worth remembering, Videl." His words were so direct and without his usual penchant for becoming easily embarrassed when he said sweet things to her. It was almost enough to make her choke up. Swallowing the lump that had begun to form in her throat, she returned to her salad, thanking whatever divine entity was watching over her that she had met Son Gohan.
She had never imagined things could be so perfect and yet, here she was, living a life so good that some people couldn't even see it in their own dreams. As the taste of Caesar salad, expertly prepared, met her mouth, she couldn't help but make a small noise of delight. Gohan met her eyes again, smiling between bites of a sandwich. If she didn't know any better, she would say he was almost as overwhelmed with happiness as she was right now.
'I'm so glad, I don't ever want you getting bored with us. I want to make you as happy as you make me every single day from now on.' And that was the first time Videl had the thought that she wanted Gohan by her side for the rest of her life.
Lunch was finished and packed up and the young couple had taken to cuddling by the lakeside again. It seemed Videl had become curious about something as they had sat and listened to the serene sounds of nature around them. Gohan would find out in a moment exactly which question had popped into her mind, though.
"Do you want to listen to some music? Hearing the sounds out here reminded me of the ambient tracks I use when I do my meditation exercises. What kinds of music do you like to listen to?" she asked, grabbing her discarded phone and eyeing him excitedly. They hadn't really talked about music before.
"Uh…I guess I kind of don't listen to music…"
Videl sat up immediately, as if she'd been zapped with electricity. "What? What do you mean you don't listen to music?"
"It's just never really been something I've done at home…or anywhere, to be honest." His voice had shrunk and he'd become bashful. He felt like he'd done something wrong with his life if she was so surprised by his answer.
"Wow, I can't even imagine what that must be like. Don't worry, we'll find you some music you like then!" Gohan smiled at her words and let himself relax again. For as much as he had to teach her about his world, he had a lot to learn from her too.
Videl began to scroll through what he assumed was some type of music player. "I listen to music almost all the time if I'm by myself. I have songs that get me pumped up when I'm exercising, relaxing stuff that helps me focus when I study, stuff I just enjoy listening too and si-" Videl interrupted herself, her face glowing as she turned away from Gohan.
"What is it?" he asked, suspecting she might've almost let slip something adorable.
"Nothing, it's nothing at all," she managed just a little too quickly.
His eyes narrowed as a devious grin played across his lips, watching as Videl's head all but steamed in the cool spring sunlight. "It almost seems like you're hiding something from me. If I didn't know any better, I'd say you interrupted yourself because you're embarrassed of something." It was Gohan's turn to tease her and he took to it quite adeptly.
"N-no! That's not it! I just…I forgot what I was going to say, that's all!"
Gohan couldn't suppress the chuckle that escaped him as she denied so vehemently his words. She was cute all the time, but she was especially cute when she was flustered. But he didn't want to overdo it and actually upset her. He'd seen her genuinely mad at him before and didn't want to ruin their date.
"Okay, okay, I believe you. I'll stop teasing you. I'm sorry."
"Hmph." She turned away exaggeratedly and pouted, folding her arms across her chest.
"You're not really mad at me, are you?" he asked, scooting closer to her and trying to see her face.
"I said 'hmph.'" She turned her head further away so he couldn't see her but her voice had an unmistakable hint of mirth to it. At least she wasn't so angry she couldn't play around with him, if she was actually angry at all.
Exaggerating his voice just a bit, Gohan scooted even closer. "I'm sorry I teased you like that. Come on 'Del, don't be upset." He placed his hands on her shoulders and felt her tense up just a little. Before he could gather another thought, her tiny voice reached his ears.
"…'Del?"
Gohan's face flushed terribly all at once. He hadn't meant to actually say that out loud to her just yet. It was a nickname he'd thought up lying in bed the night before but wasn't really sure if she'd like it, so he had wanted to test the waters first. Had he really made such a slipup already? Would she think it was demeaning or dumb? Stammering, he tried to do some damage control.
"Uh, I'm sorry! I just, uh, I thought it was, well, kinda cute and I didn't mean to say that just yet! I wanted to figure out if, if you liked things like that and it, uh, just kinda came out, um…I'm sorry if you didn't like it! I won't do it again if you didn't!"
Gohan felt her small, warm hand envelop as much of his as it could. He looked down and saw that she was finally turning back to him. When his nervous eyes fell on her face, he couldn't help but notice that she wore a fetching pink blush on her cheeks and a whimsical little smile on her lips. She could barely meet his gaze but she did her best, forcing herself to look back every few seconds as her eyes involuntarily darted away.
"I…I really liked that," she admitted, her azure stare taking refuge by diving towards the blanket beneath them. She forced her gaze back up yet again. "It was really nice to hear you give me a nickname. Like…like my whole body was just wrapped up in warmth all at once."
"So…you didn't mind it…?" he began hesitantly, still not sure if he'd done something wrong.
"Gohan, I loved hearing you call me that. Don't feel pressured to do it more than you're comfortable right now, but…you can call me that as much as you like," she finished, her pink blush darkening to a near-ruby shade. Her eyes escaped their shared gaze again and this time she let them linger away from his.
Gohan felt his heart calming as he heard the sincerity in her words. She really liked it? That was great. Especially compared to what he'd been afraid she'd think of it. His thoughts were interrupted as her soft voice spoke again.
"What made you pick 'Del? I'm not upset, don't get me wrong, I love it!" she offered quickly as he tensed up at her question. "It's just…well, no one's ever really given me a nickname like that before, except 'Rase and my dad. They don't really count though, they've been doing it forever."
Gohan cleared his throat and glanced nervously around before taking a slow breath. He forced himself to meet her curious eyes at last. "Well I was just…thinking about you a lot yesterday. I use your name a lot when we talk because I like the way it sounds, you know?" Gohan could swear he saw steam pouring out of her ears from how hot they'd become.
"But I figured it might be nice if there was a special version of your name that I called you that was…just for us, I guess. That and…I just thought it was really cute and it suited you…"
Videl had needed to take a steadying breath during that explanation but she was also beaming at him. It was a smile he'd seen on her face so rarely before Majin Buu, yet so frequently since they'd been reunited the day before yesterday. It was such a hypnotic smile.
"That's one of the sweetest things I've ever heard Gohan. I love it and I love you."
Gohan perked up at last, his nerves finally settling somewhat. "And I love you…'Del…"
Videl squeaked the way she had on the Lookout the other day and buried her face in his chest, earning a huge smile from Gohan. She had already been painfully adorable before, but this? This was enough to overwhelm him in the best way, her impossibly cute reactions to things.
"I'll be a little sparing with it until we're both a bit comfier," he offered and laughed when she nodded quickly against him.
Wrapping her in a warm hug, he finally felt the tension in her shoulders begin to diminish until it was gone entirely. She was relaxed again and her breathing was much calmer too. 'Good, I didn't want to embarrass her that much.'
"Singing." Videl's voice suddenly managed from beneath his chin.
"Huh?"
"The word I didn't say earlier. Singing. There are songs I enjoy singing along with…don't make fun of me…"
Gohan just kept smiling, caressing her arm softly. "I would never make fun of you, I promise. Besides, I think that's really cool! Will you…if you're okay with it…maybe sing for me sometime?"
Videl looked up at him hesitantly, her face on fire but her eyes shimmering happily. "Maybe sometime…"
"I'll take that."
"Gohan?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks…for making me feel comfortable about who I am. I put on a certain face with almost everyone else in my life and it feels good to know that…that I can just be my real self with you."
"You don't have to thank me for that, Videl. Who you really are is the whole reason I fell for you."
Videl smiled gently up at him, nestling in a bit closer against his chest and drinking in the perfect atmosphere around her, unwilling to waste even a single moment. This was their chance together finally coming to life. And she couldn't have wished for it to get off to a better start.
The rest of the afternoon passed by in a flurry of joy and awe. Gohan showed Videl a few other breathtaking locations on the mountain – the canyon he'd always explored as a child, the cave he'd met Icarus in, and the clearing he had trained at with Goku before the Cell Games. She marveled at the sights and sounds, this oasis of calm in the desert of chaos that consumed most peoples' day to day lives.
Eventually, Videl needed to use the bathroom and asked Gohan if they could head back to his house. They'd flown back and covered the distance in far less time as a result. And so, they found themselves back in the quaint cottage relaxing with the remainder of the Son family just before dinner that evening.
Goku had exhausted Goten with their hours of training and the boy was passed out asleep on a chair. Chi-Chi had already begun working on dinner and, though Videl asked if she could help her, the woman politely declined, insisting she enjoy her day with Gohan instead of feeling like she had to pitch in. Goku was…somewhere. He certainly wasn't home, but Gohan seemed unconcerned, so she went along with it easily. He might've just been out running errands.
Eventually, Goku did return, but in such a way that it nearly caused Videl to have a heart attack. The man popped into existence in the middle of the room out of quite literally nowhere, announcing his presence loudly and happily. She yelped and jumped nearly a foot off the couch before clinging to Gohan, having startled pretty badly. Goku looked around, unsure of what he'd done, while Gohan just smiled and comforted her, running his hand up and down her arm. Moments later though, Chi-Chi appeared and started scolding Goku, figuring out what had happened in seconds.
"I knew it! How many times have I told you? No using Instant Transmission to teleport into the house! Use the door at least like the rest of the world! You scared Videl half to death!"
Goku laughed and apologized awkwardly, before being dragged back towards the kitchen by his wife. After her nerves had settled, Gohan decided to show Videl some old pictures from their photo album. He had noticed she'd been eyeing them curiously a few times now.
When he opened the album, Videl's eyes first fell upon an adorable picture of a younger looking Goku and Chi-Chi with a tiny little boy in traditional yellow clothing standing between them. "Wow, that was you huh? You were such an adorable little kid!"
Gohan flushed a bit and gave her a half-smile. "T-thanks! Yeah that was me. Back then I wore a similar outfit to what my Great Grandpa used to wear."
"Well it suited you quite well! What other pictures are there?"
Gohan thumbed through the pages and found one of himself with Bulma and Krillin in front of what looked to be a large saucer. Was that some kind of Capsule Corp storage area? Or maybe...
"Bulma looks so good in this picture, I'm a little jealous to be honest," Videl pouted. She lit up as Gohan wrapped an arm around her and nuzzled her close.
"You have absolutely nothing to be jealous of," he assured her, smiling as she cuddled up close against his side.
"You're supposed to say that though, you're my…boyfriend," she managed after some hesitation. Gohan's smile widened into a huge grin as he looked down at her.
"That doesn't mean anything I'm saying isn't true though! She's got nothing on you!"
"Yeah, yeah, all right." The mirth in her voice was unmistakable though and they returned to the photo album again. Before Gohan could flip the page, she took in another detail she'd missed before.
"Wait, that's Krillin? He looks so different without hair!"
"Yeah, that's him! You know, it's funny, most of my life he didn't have hair, so it's almost more strange to see him the way he is now, at least for me. He and I had a lot of fun adventures together…and some that weren't so fun," he laughed as he finished his thought, an almost wistful quality to his voice. Videl wanted to hear that story, but decided she'd ask him another time. She didn't want to get carried away and start interrogating him again in his own home.
Gohan flipped the page again and showed her another picture, this one with a few people she didn't recognize. She tested herself by pointing out the ones she'd met on the Lookout. "So, that's Piccolo, of course. Krillin didn't have hair back then. You and your dad are obvious. The one with the short hair must be Yamcha right? Was he already playing baseball back then?"
Gohan considered her for a moment. "You know, I'm honestly not sure. I think he might've been, but we were so focused on the battle coming up after this picture that I couldn't really tell you."
Videl's eyes fell on a man with a third eye in the center of his forehead wearing a green outfit and a small being next to him whose face was pale enough to resemble chalk. Their appearances might have shocked her if she'd seen this picture a week ago, but as it stood now…well, she lived with Majin Buu. "Who are they? I don't think I've met them."
Gohan pointed to the man in green. "That's Tenshinhan, he used to be a rival of my father's, but eventually they wound up on the same side and fought to protect this planet together quite a few times. He mostly keeps to himself these days, but he's always been a reliable warrior and friend. He actually showed up to help me when I was fighting Buu the other day. It was surprising to see him way out there, but he never backed down, even though he was outmatched.
"And that's his partner, Chiaotzu. They've trained together for so long, they're basically inseparable at this point. I've known them since I was a little kid too. We've fought alongside each other more times than I can count." Gohan clearly harbored a great amount of respect for the two warriors. Despite his overwhelming powers and abilities, he still praised his allies' strength and determination. Videl felt herself getting distracted by just how endearing and attractive she found everything about his personality.
While she was staring at him, Gohan flipped the page again, this time landing on a picture of the group that had appeared at the Cell Games. She recognized most of these faces; she'd seen them on television seven years ago and had met most of them again at the tournament. She pointed them out and named them one by one: Goku, Krillin, Yamcha, Tenshinhan, Piccolo, Vegeta, and Gohan of course. But there was one she still didn't have a name for yet.
"So who's that with the long hair? I haven't seen him with you guys since the Cell Games broadcast."
Gohan actually seemed to tense up just a bit. "Uh…that's…Trunks," he finally managed. Videl was confused. Trunks? He had the same name as Bulma and Vegeta's son?
"Oh I get it! He must be Bulma's brother or something! And she named her son after him, right?"
"Uh…yeah, something like that!" Gohan laughed awkwardly and Videl could tell he was hiding something immediately. She narrowed her eyes, smirking at him and meeting his gaze.
"Remember what I told you at school? How you're a terrible liar?"
Gohan sighed heavily. "Yeah, I know. I'm sorry, I'm really not trying to hide anything from you. It's just…it's a really long story," he conceded at last. Videl dropped her façade and went back to the gentle smile she so often wore around him now.
"I'd love to hear it if you don't mind sharing," she told him as gently as she could. She could only imagine how nervous he felt about detailing his own past. The things she'd seen were still almost impossible to fully wrap her mind around. He was probably worried no one could ever believe the things he had experienced unless they'd been there.
Gohan opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, Chi-Chi called out from the other room that it was time for dinner. Goten, who right up until that moment had been snoring softly, immediately sprang to his feet and cried out, "oh boy! Dinner!" He bolted off into the next room, leaving Videl more than a little startled. Gohan laughed lightly from next to her.
"Tell you what," he managed at last as he rose to his feet and offered her his hand. "Let's go eat for now, but I promise I'll tell you that story soon, okay?" Videl smiled and rested her hand in his, allowing him to easily lift her to her feet.
"Okay, but you know I can only ignore my curiosity for so long, so don't make me wait forever," she teased, a gentle laugh escaping her lips as he rubbed the back of his neck yet again. She would never tire of seeing that, even if he did it every single day for the rest of their lives.
"I won't leave you in suspense too much longer, I promise."
As it turned out, her suspense wouldn't last but a few hours more.
Dinner wound up being quite the enjoyable affair for Videl. Aside from the obvious excellence of Chi-Chi's cooking, she had reveled in the chaotic atmosphere too. Prior to the start of the meal, Chi-Chi placed a collection of food on the table for herself and Videl and looked hard at her three boys before demanding they keep their hands off anything in these two areas. They all promised her they would. Videl was a little curious as to why she'd specify something like that, but very quickly got her answer once the rest of the food was on the table.
Goku and Goten inhaled their food like absolute vacuum cleaners, their plates so spotless by the end of each dish you could probably have reused them. No wonder Chi-Chi had to be careful; Videl had the nervous thought that if she reached for anything in the middle of the table, she might not be lucky enough to come back with all her fingers. Gohan, she noticed, kept up the same steady pace he had at lunch, though she figured that was mostly to not feel embarrassed in front of her.
She giggled to herself at the thought. He'd probably loosen up eventually about his rather extreme eating habits; if his father and brother were any point of reference, she has to imagine he ate with the same inhuman speed and ferocity when she wasn't there. But until he was ready to show her the side of himself, she was glad he was doing what made him comfortable. Once or twice though, she noticed he ate a bit faster to grab a certain item from the center of the table before his father or Goten could get it first. Those moments made her smile. She wasn't used to such lively dinners these days, but she was enjoying it immensely.
After dinner, as the Son family had sat around relaxing together, Gohan holding her hand, she decided it was rude if she didn't ask for his parents' approval the way he had done with Papa. So she had brought it up timidly, only to realize that her worries were completely laughable. Chi-Chi had espoused a face one could only describe as dream-stricken as she cried out about how happy she was that her Gohan had found such a wonderful young woman to be by his side. She had brought up marriage again, causing Videl to blush a deep pink, and earning a flustered shout from Gohan, finally getting his mom to stop.
Goten had been all for it, even though she hadn't asked him directly. He was an adorable little kid and she was glad she was getting to know him better, especially since he was so excited at the idea of spending more time with her as a big sister figure. Goku, however, surprised her a bit. He had gazed thoughtfully up at the ceiling, his brow furrowed and a hand resting on his chin, as if he were considering the whole situation. It actually made Videl's heart start racing. What if he didn't approve of her? Was it because she wasn't as strong as he was? Or because she'd lost at the tournament? She had thought Papa was the biggest obstacle for their relationship, but if Gohan's father was just as difficult to please, despite his easygoing nature, would she be able to win him over?
Chi-Chi had gone over and whispered something to Goku who had snapped back into his happy-go-lucky smile and told the two that he one hundred percent supported them and was happy they were dating. Videl had let out a sigh she hadn't even realized she'd been holding onto, relief coursing through her. Gohan, who keyed into her nervousness, leaned in close while the others were distracted and whispered to her: Goku hadn't been considering if he approved of her at all, he was just trying to understand what having a "girlfriend" meant. Videl hadn't been able to stifle her laughter after that and Gohan joined in right alongside her, all the tension in her mind and heart evaporating effortlessly thanks to his stalwart presence at her side.
Gohan had told everyone he had one more surprise for Videl and they were heading out onto the mountain again. Chi-Chi's eyes twinkled knowingly but she said nothing about it. Everyone wished Videl a goodnight and a safe flight home before waving goodbye at the door as the pair flew off into the sky.
Now, she and Gohan were flying towards the highest point on the mountain where the last surprise of the day apparently waited for her. The night was just beginning, the sun in the process of setting, and Videl was curious just what he had concocted to finish their perfect first date. It only took a few minutes more to reach the summit, which overlooked the vast forested mountainside they'd explored earlier. Touching down gently, she watched as Gohan tossed a capsule into the air and caught three blankets out of it.
"So what are we doing with those?" she asked as her curiosity got the better of her.
Gohan waited until he had laid the biggest blanket down against the gentle slope of a small hill, removing his boots and stepping onto it. "Stargazing."
Videl smiled so widely her cheeks actually started to hurt. She'd been doing that a lot today after all. "Well aren't you mister romantic," she teased, unable to even feign a face that matched her tone.
"Hey it was your idea, after all," he shot back, a playful smirk on his lips. She had? When? "Remember? The other day on the Lookout? You said you wanted to lay under the stars and hold hands."
Videl's cheeks suddenly felt extremely hot as she remembered that moment, but even that couldn't stop the giddy grin that stayed glued to her face. "That's right, I did say that, huh?"
"I thought it would be the perfect way to end our first date," he admitted, his own cheeks flushing in turn. Videl met his warm gaze, eyes sparkling with delight.
"You're so perfect I can't even put it into words." She removed her own boots, stepping onto the blanket with him and placing a soft kiss on his lips. Gohan was a little surprised it seemed but he relaxed into her embrace easily.
Videl pulled him gently towards the ground, easing him down with her as she continued to kiss him sweetly and softly. Only a few moments later, though, the deep hunger that had underscored their last kiss on the Lookout returned as they pulled the other in as close as they could. Videl couldn't get enough of him. She wanted to kiss him for hours, to be held in his arms for the rest of the night, well into the morning, and then some.
As the sun disappeared below the horizon, they finally broke their embrace, red faced and panting somewhat. "I told you we'd do more of that when we were alone," she sang, delighting in his adorable blush.
It wasn't much longer before they were lying on their backs, the hill he'd chosen propping them up slightly, making for a flawless angle to view the night sky from. The stars were exceptionally bright here, so far removed from the lights and smog of the city.
She had snuggled up against his side and was now relishing the warmth of his body as the cool breeze whistled over the mountaintop. They had taken to sharing one blanket to stay warm, something Videl had been more than happy to do. The closer she was to Gohan, the better. His presence was intoxicating, something she could never tire of. 'Please, don't ever let this night end. Let me stay here with him forever.'
"Gohan, today has been absolutely perfect," she whispered, squeezing his hand in hers.
"I'm so glad you enjoyed it. I think this is the best day I've ever had," he admitted, smiling towards her.
"Me too."
They gazed up at the sparkling sky for a while. The twinkling of constellations, galaxies she couldn't even imagine, captured her wonder like few things else in the world could. In fact, one of the only things she found more appealing was actually seeing what some of them were made of. It had been a fantasy of hers since she was a little girl. Though...it wasn't just a fantasy, was it?
"Gohan?"
"Yeah?"
"You've been out there, haven't you?"
"Out where?"
"Into the stars, I mean. You've left this planet at some point, right? Wasn't that big saucer behind you, Krillin, and Bulma actually a spaceship?
Gohan laughed lightly. "That's pretty amazing detective work from just one picture. Yeah, I've gone to another planet once before. I was five or six at the time, it was a while ago now. I went to Piccolo and Dende's home world of Namek. Actually, if you count the World of the Kaioshin the other day, I guess that's twice I've been to a different planet."
Videl looked away from the stars and watched Gohan with utter amazement in her eyes. "You've had such an incredible life. I still can't even fully wrap my head around Majin Buu and that was just another normal battle for you, wasn't it?"
Gohan turned and met her gaze, a somber look in his onyx eyes. "No, Buu was the hardest fight I've ever gone through. Not because of his strength, but because of what he took away from me. You, my family, my friends…not even Cell managed that."
"Is it okay if I ask about it? Your life?" She spoke with a tenderness she'd never actually thought herself capable of. She wasn't sure how open he was ready to be just yet, but she didn't want to pressure him. She would ask him gently just this one time and it was okay if he wasn't ready.
Gohan paused for a moment, considering her question. "I don't mind telling you my story at all. It's just…there are parts of it that are pretty unbelievable…and parts of it that might make you feel differently about me…" His gaze fell from hers, dejected.
Videl raised up onto her elbow and placed her hand against his cheek, drawing his beautiful eyes again. "Gohan, I will never feel differently about you because of anything in your past. Everything that happened before made you into the person I love today. Nothing else will ever matter to me."
Gohan smiled a bit, though the worry still swam in his gaze. "It's not that I don't trust you, of course I do. I trust you with my life, 'Del." She felt her heart start racing as he used her nickname again but fought down her blush. There would be time for that later.
He took a steadying breath before finally continuing. "It's just…I'm about to ask you to believe a lot of things that you really have no point of reference for. It's almost like I'm shattering your view of the world, I guess."
Videl laughed lightly. "Gohan, you shattered my view of the world when you caught a falling bus and saved my life. You turned everything I thought I knew on its head when you taught me how to fly. I promise there's nothing you could say now that will shock me to a point I can't handle it. I want to know your past."
Gohan let his eyes linger on her for a few moments more before he nodded at last. "Okay. Like I said, I trust you with everything. I really do. I'll tell you my story."
Videl gave him a gentle smile and laid back down next to him, wrapping her arms around his and cuddling close. What kind of fantastic tales was he about to regale her with?
"Would you believe me if I told you I'm half-alien?"
9/16/2022