Gumball awoke within the warm embrace of Nicole. She had wrapped him tightly in her arms. He focused his sleepy eyes on her face and noticed she was smiling in her sleep.

'Well, that's a good sign.' He thought.

He gently started stroking her hair and messaging her scalp. He received a blissful sigh in return from Nicole. She slowly stirred before opening her eyes. She stared at Gumball for a second before speaking.

"Am I still dreaming?"

Gumball smiled at this.

"Am I just as pretty in your dreams as in real life?"

Nicole giggled before drawing in close and giving him a quick kiss.

"I guess I'm not. And as for your question, yes. Yes you are."

"Then consider me flattered." Gumball said, giggling back.

Nicole wrapped him in another hug before kissing his head. Gumball, feeling snug, leaned back into her chest and closed his eyes. He was loving every second of this. She was just so soft and warm. It was like he was meant to fit her embrace. He could lay like this for quite a while longer.

Much to Gumball's dismay, Nicole decided now was the time to get up and about. He felt her warm body let him go as she got up out of bed. As she stood and stretched her body, he couldn't help but wander his gaze over her. He really was admiring her near perfectly toned muscles on her legs and back. He was already familiar with her very toned abs as well. As he continued staring, he also noticed he was admiring...a few other parts of her. Her shapely curves as a whole, along with her now noticeably firm butt did seem to stir something within him. He wasn't quite sure what it was about them, but it did seem to make him feel a bit different.

After getting out of bed and going to the bathroom, they both had gone downstairs for some much needed breakfast. Nicole made them both a plate and they sat down at the table.

"So, what's on the agenda for today?" Asked Gumball, looking up from his food.

"Well, I was hoping to start planting the garden today. If that works for you."

Gumball's eyes seemed to light up at this.

"Awesome! I've been waiting to do that!" He exclaimed.

"Heh, I can see that."

Gumball then started to blush slightly.

"Sorry mo-, I mean, Nicole. I just wanted to plant quite a few tomatoes for our future food fight."

Nicole smirked and raised an eyebrow at that.

"You really are excited for that, aren't you mister?"

"What? Come on, I'm dying to have one with you. I'm sure it would be super fun!"

"Alright, Alright. I'll take your word for it." She said, now picking up hers and Gumball's finished plates.

"But first things first. Let's start planting and make sure we grow the food properly. We don't want to have terrible food to throw now do we?" She mentioned, putting the plates away before pinching his cheek lovingly heading for the door.

"Meanie~" Gumball whispered towards her just loud enough to hear, causing her to spin dramatically around to face him.

"What was that little man?" She asked tauntingly.

"N-nothing." Gumball sheepishly replied, before seeing her smug face.

"I-I mean Miss meanie who also happens to be Miss Flirter~"

Nicole rolled her eyes at that, before dramatically clenching her chest.

"Ouch. That really hurt you know. You are gonna have to repay me for those such harsh words."

"Another date perhaps?" Gumball suggested.

"Deal." She replied, spinning around and heading out the door with a big grin.

The two of them got to work on making straight rows in the soil, collecting the seeds from the fruits and vegetables to plant, stuck them down snug in the soil and covered them. Gumball then watered them all for extra measures. Eventually after a little setback on the location of their soon-to-be crops, they had done it. Everything was planted.

"Well, we both are quite inexperienced in this, but I'd say we did pretty well. Don't you think Gummypuss?" Nicole said, wiping the sweat from her forehead.

Gumball, wiping his forehead too, nodded. They finally had completed it. It was now only a matter of time, hopefully, until they could have their little food fight. Now, they would have to wait...

"So, what's next?" Asked Gumball.

"Well, you DID say you owed me another date..." Nicole mentioned, now facing him with a sultry look.

"Alrighty then. What type of date? I'll let YOU choose this time."

Nicole pondered for a moment before finally giving her answer to him.

"How about Stargazing? That could be fun."

"Huh, I never went stargazing before. Maybe you're right. Let's get it a shot!"

Nicole smiled warmly at him then, before heading towards the house.

"Let's both get cleaned up. We can head out after dinner."

"Alright. But this time, I call dibs on the shower first!" Gumball said, racing past her.

"Is that so? Not if I beat you there!" Nicole responded playfully as she chased after him.

The two both had leaped through the back door and into the house, scrambling by each other and constantly pushed and pulled one another to the side in order to get ahead. They both were having a blast with this, with laughter echoing off the walls as they ran up stairs. Just as Gumball reached the top and was about to open the bathroom door, Nicole launched a full on tickle attack on him. Gumball spasmed out and was laughing hysterically from it.

"Ah, NO~, s-stop it Nicole that tickles~ hahaha!"

Nicole was smiling ear to ear from this, and eventually ceased her tickle assault. Gumball collapsed onto the floor with a mixture of exhaustion and giggles.

"No fair. You knew my weakness." He said breathlessly.

"I guess I did." She said coyly, before reaching for the door handle. Gumball then quickly got up and faced her.

"Wait! Don't you owe me something for such troubles you caused me?"

"Oh? Like what?"

Gumball gave her a smug grin in return.

"A kiss perhaps?"

Nicole leaned closer to him, now gazing deeply in his eyes.

"I could do that."

They locked lips and Gumball was gently pushed against the door. The bliss shared between them was immense. Nicole's mind went blank. It was so nice to her. It was so peaceful...

Suddenly, she heard the sound of something turning, before seeing the door open behind Gumball. With a quick set of steps backwards and a pull away from their kiss, Gumball then disappeared into the bathroom, shutting the door with rapid speed.

"H-hey!" Nicole half whined from the other side of the door.

"Ha! You used my weakness, and I used yours."

"Fair enough..." she mumbled to herself, before letting out a heavy sigh.

"Alright...you won this round mister, but you BETTER impress me with this date tonight, or I'm going to get even with you!" She said, crossing her arms.

"Very well. I'll sweep you off your feet this time!"

Nicole rolled her eyes at that before heading back downstairs to wait her turn.

Gumball loved warm water. It was always relaxing to him; especially now. As the water fell on his face, it cleared away the bits of dirt that had managed to cling there. It felt refreshing. He sighed in relief. But in the midst of all this, a certain thought started filling Gumball's mind.

'How do I impress her tonight?...'

It kept looping in his mind now. He had to figure out something for her. Then, he got an idea...

"Oh she is gonna LOVE this!" He said to himself.

———————————————

After getting all scrubbed off, he made his way into his room and let Nicole get her shower. He rummaged through his closet and decided to put on an old flannel shirt, complete with darkened blue jeans. It all seemed to fit quite well. Not to mention still had its fresh clean smell. Gumball then quietly made his way downstairs and prepared a few items for tonight. He packed a few snacking items, along with a cutting knife and some napkins, plates and drinks. Hopefully this plan of his will work out...

Nicole made her way out of the shower and decided to put on some casual clothes. Sure she picked a more vibrant color scheme this time for the date, but the comfy loose clothes felt nice to wear tonight for stargazing. After looking herself over in the mirror, she headed downstairs for dinner.

As she made her way into the kitchen, she saw Gumball finish folding the picnic blanket next to their picnic basket. This made her curious.

"Gumball sweetie, it will be too late for a picnic when we go stargazing."

Gumball looked up and over to her, giving her a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry Nicole, I got a plan all figured out. Trust me on this one."

Nicole continued to give him a curious glance. She had no idea what he had planned, but decided to just go along with it. Gumball could be quite unpredictable at times; tonight was no exception. But frankly, she kind of liked this. Not knowing what to expect sent her body into a more happier mood. She couldn't wait.

After a light dinner of sliced apples, yogurt and a bowl of carrots, the two decided to head out after the sun started to cast its final rays of sunlight. Gumball led the way this time to the park. Nicole trailed behind and felt her body still beaming with curiosity.

'What on Earth does Gumball have planned?' She kept thinking to herself.

As they were about to step on the lawn of the park, Gumball stopped.

"Wait here. I'm going to prepare us my surprise."

Nicole felt a tinge of uncertainty with this.

"Gummypuss, I...I don't know..."

Gumball set his things down and walked back towards her, holding both her hands.

"Nicole, you can trust me. I'll only be gone for a few minutes. I'll come right back to you after I'm done, okay?"

With that, he leaned up and kissed her softly.

"I promise."

Nicole felt her heart pick up pace, but played it cool as best as she could.

"A-Alright. Just...don't be long, okay?"

Gumball gave her a final hug before nodding. He then raced over and picked up his stuff again and made his way quickly towards the hill.

"No snooping either!" He shouted back to her, causing her to smile briefly at that.

Gumball just seemed so innocent to her. His childish nature always dictated his actions. Sure, he was almost no longer a teenager, but to her, here, she hoped he never changed...

After what seemed about 20 minutes later, Nicole saw Gumball running back to her.

"All done! Now, may I lead the way for you, M'lady?" He asked politely.

Nicole rolled her eyes at his childish chivalry attempt, but decided to play along with it.

"Why my handsome fellow, of course you may~"

Gumball let out a quiet snicker at this, before offering his arm to her. She returned the gesture by interlocking her arm with his, and they made their way through the lawn.

"Oh! Before I forget, close your eyes."

Nicole gave him a questionable gaze, before feeling Gumball give her a playful bump on her side. She let out a small huff before obeying.

Gumball led them through the sections of the lawn and up to the top of the hill. Nicole could feel the gentle breeze of the wind on her cheeks as she felt Gumball stop them.

"Okay, you can look now..." he said, pulling his arm away.

Nicole opened her eyes and felt her heart flutter in excitement. There, just a few feet away from them, was a small lit campfire along with a pair of sharpened sticks with cooking vegetables on them. The picnic blanket was laid out just beyond the fire, complete with plates and two drinks for them. Nicole was simply stunned. She did NOT expect Gumball to do all this for them. For her...

"Gumball..." she said, covering her mouth.

She truly was speechless. It was all so much. It was simply...beautiful.

"You like it?" He asked clinging to her side for a response.

Nicole grasped the sides of his face and pulled him into a very passionate kiss. After a few seconds, she slowly pulled away, and rested her forehead against his.

"I...I take it that you do like it after all..." he spoke softly, somewhat out of breath.

Nicole let another small chuckle. She couldn't help it.

"I do." She replied warmly.

They both made their way over to the campfire and started roasting their food over the fire. The heat warped around them like a blanket as it heated their bodies from the cooler air around them. Gumball rested his head on her shoulder as Nicole pulled him closer.

Nicole couldn't help but linger on a few questions in her mind. Eventually, she couldn't help but ask them.

"Gummypuss, how on Earth did you manage to make a fire and prepare all this?"

Gumball nuzzled into her before speaking.

"I used the techniques I learned from being with the scouts. Remember that camp you made me and Darwin go to during summer that one year? The leaders taught us how to survive in the wilderness, how to start a fire, drink clean water. Stuff like that. Pretty useful in my opinion."

Nicole had almost forgotten about that. She remembered they had such joyful faces when they had gotten back home. She was glad they had fun, but sadly she couldn't afford to take them back that next summer due to not having enough money.

"I guess 'winning over hearts' wasn't part of the survival training, but it looks like it worked after all." Gumball mentioned, nudging her.

Nicole playfully nudged back.

"It looks like it did work indeed..."

The two stared at the flames for a while until their food was cooked to perfection. They both removed the food from their sticks and nibbled on it over their plates. As they finished, they both laid back on the blanket and stared up at the sky. The stars littered it in their ever twinkling beauty. Gumball felt his hand rest in Nicoles as they both stared at the endless dots above them. The wind blew around them, sweeping some of their warmth away. Nicole inched closer to him, and he did the same. Now they were both side by side.

As Gumball continued to stare up above them, he couldn't help but feel his mind wander. Although Gumball would hear Nicole occasionally mention how the stars all seemed different and how she couldn't recognize any constellations, it all seemed like mild gibberish to him in this state of mind.

"Gumball? You asleep over there silly?"

Gumball then snapped out of it when he heard his name.

"Oh, sorry Nicole..."

"What's wrong sweetie?"

"I just...I was just thinking." Gumball replied.

"About what?"

Gumball went silent for a second, before finally speaking in a rather serious tone.

"Nicole, do you think...we ever will go back? Back...home?"

Nicole sat up and faced Gumball now. Her previously enthusiastic face was now replaced with a one of seriousness too.

"Gumball...I...don't truly know..."

Gumball sat up too and faced her. Nicole rested her hand on the side of his face, and felt her serious face loosen a bit.

"But Gumball, listen to me...as much as I miss everyone and everything back there, I'm glad to not be alone. Not anymore. I have you, and frankly, that's all I need here. Home can wait if it has to..."

Gumball continued to stare at her, his face had a look of aloofness to it. He truly missed home. He missed his brother. His sister. His friends... Gumball felt tears well up in his eyes. He looked down to avert his gaze from her, only for a second to wipe his eyes. Much to his disappointment, Nicole had caught on to his act of sadness.

"Gumball..." she said softly, raising his chin to face her.

Gumball tried his best to not show her his now tear ridden eyes, but couldn't help it after only gazing at her for a second. Her softened eyes met his cold and reddened ones. It only took a second of this before she spoke again.

"I know it's hard. I truly do...but we must move on. When I lost you in the fire Gumball...only after I accepted losing you did I manage to help myself carry on. I grew strong from that. I let go of my past, and focused on the future ahead of me..."

Nicole slowly wrapped Gumball into a loving embrace.

"I want you to do what I did. I want you to let go of the past. Focus on the present, and the future. Don't just do it for me. Do it for them. Darwin, Anais, your friends. Do it for yourself..."

Gumball looked past her gaze and into the stars above. The shimmering light that filled the sky seemed to fill him with a new sense of determination. A new sense of meaning...

Gumball looked back into her eyes, this time with a strong and sharp gaze.

"I will."

Nicole felt his powerful gaze towards her as he said that. It felt...different to her. She couldn't remember ever seeing him look at her that way. The gaze...it didn't feel like a child's or a teenager's gaze...but the one of a man's gaze. A gaze equal to her own...

Gumball leaned forward and quickly pecked her lips, bringing her back to the moment.

"I promise Nicole, I will." He said, now softening his stoic gaze.

Nicole saw his face return to normal now, and the face she witnessed seemed to disappear completely. He was back to his normal self. Gumball then laid back, and patted the side of the blanket next to him.

"Let's watch the stars some more, at least until the fire goes out."

Nicole decided that would be a good idea, and laid back down with him. As they continued where they left off, a single shooting star shot across the sky. Gumball pointed towards it.

"Quick! Make a wish!"

Nicole closed her eyes, and thought of a wish. It was a far from achieving, but as he squeezed her hand, that wish...that seemingly unachievable wish of hers, seemed to just become more likely. Even if it was just a little...

"I wished for TV! What did you wish for?" Gumball asked her, turning his head to the side to face her.

Nicole slowly turned to face him, and saw his very excited face, eager to know hers. Amused by this, she booped him on the nose, before responding.

"I'm going to keep my wish a secret. I heard if you do that, it might just come true..."

"Wait...that's how it works? Ah man, did I doom myself a free TV?"

Nicole laughed heartily at that. Gumball soon followed and they both covered they're eyes to hold back the tears of laughter.

"I'm sorry Gumball. I guess I should have told you that a long time ago." She said, wiping a final tear away from her eye.

"Don't worry." He said, laying back with his arms behind his head. "I can just make a TV."

Nicole gave him a raised eyebrow.

"Oh? How so?"

"Come on! All I need is a little cardboard and some tape. I can make a makeshift TV quite easily. Me and Darwin did it all the time when the TV was broke. Remember the fit dad had until it was up and running? Haha!"

"Don't remind me..." Nicole said with a smile.

They both let out a sigh, before continuing their stargazing. The gentle crackling of the fire seemed to ease them both. Soon enough, Nicole let out a gentle yawn. This seemed to give Gumball a rather big idea. Or better yet, a bold one...

"My dearest M'lady~" he started, rising to his knees. "I offer you a noble choice..."

She turned to face his now dramatic posed body, causing her to, once again, roll her eyes.

"Oh my dearest~" she said, playing along once again. " What has thou to offer?"

With a playful act of removing a nonexistent hat from his head, Gumball continued.

"I offer my side to you on this starry night. Does thou accept?"

Nicole pondered on it for a moment, before speaking.

"If thou wishes such an act, then perhaps I may accept."

Gumball tried to process that phrase for a second before continuing.

"uh...I mean, Then I accept to partake in this action. Does thou also accept?"

"Aye!" She exclaims.

Gumball continued to stare at her questionably, before Nicole whispered to him.

"It means yes, you dingus!"

"Oh, right, sorry heh..."

Gumball then grabbed the two corners of the blanket on his side and folded so he and Nicole had a cover from themselves. Taking off their jackets, they put them behind their heads as makeshift pillows. Nicole pulled both of them together and close. Gumball laid his head on her chest.

'Another great success.' He thought.

Nicole and Gumball looked up the starry night now with tired eyes. This time Gumball yawned. This moment felt perfect. The stars were something he truly loved now. They should do this more often. He remembered only learning about stars in class and never really getting to see many at their light populated home and around their neighborhood. Here they were crystal clear to see. Thinking so much about stars reminded him of something else...

"Hey Nicole."

"What?"

"My science teacher told us once that we are partially made up of stuff from stars."

"Really?" Asked Nicole, now intrigued.

"Yeah! Apparently when a star explodes, it shoots out elements and stuff all around and that forms into other stuff, like us."

Nicole went silent for a moment before speaking again.

"So, does that mean body parts are somewhat made of it too?"

"Yep."

"Even eyes?"

Gumball looked over to her, and saw her give him a mischievous glance. He also saw what appeared to be...twinkling in her eyes. Was that a coincidence, or a strange intentional thing that she somehow did? Gumball wasn't sure, but he would be keeping this memory for a while.

Gumball saw her lean in for another kiss, and he did the same as they finally met. This time, Gumball took charge. He ran his arms down her sides causing her to moan into the kiss. She was loving that. Honestly, Gumball had done that on accident; but seeing her so happy pushed him on further. He caressed her cheek and pulled away from their kiss and started kissing her neck. He heard her let out another moan of pleasure. Nicole gently grabbed the back of his head as a sign to continue. Gumball started to kiss gently down her neck to her collar bone before stopping. They both were out of breath. Gumball could feel his heart racing. He was sure hers was beating fast too. He looked back into her eyes briefly before closing them and resting his forehead against hers.

"I...I'm sorry, I got carried away."

Nicole stroked his hair lovingly.

"It's alright Gummypuss. It's alright..."

Gumball returned his head to her chest and nuzzled her before closing his eyes.

"I love you." He said, wrapping his arm tighter around her side.

Nicole returned the favor by sliding her hand up and down his back.

"I love you too..."

With that, they both slowly drifted off to sleep with the fire slowly fading out and the smoke mingling with the cold starry sky. A few embers twinkled in the air, causing a mix of red and blue to flicker around them. It was a sight to behold, but for the two sleeping together, sight mattered little while in each others loving embrace...

————————————————————————

The next morning, the two awoke in each others arms. They had loved every second of their little 'Stargazing Date'. They headed back to their house as the golden rays of the morning sun cast down on the park. As they finally reached their home, Nicole decided they both needed to clean up after spending the night outside. This time, Gumball happily let her go first.

After having had a rather happy(and long) shower, Nicole let Gumball get his. After having taken his very nice and warm shower as well, Gumball got out and flapped his arm around the steamy room and onto the counter.

"Come on! Where is my comb? I can't find it in this steamy mess." He said to himself, flailing about, hoping to touch it but to no avail.

Eventually, he accidentally opened one of the drawers hoping he accidentally placed it in there. Suddenly he felt his fingers touch something metal.

'Huh?'

Gumball pulled the object out and brought it really close to his face. As he gazed at it closely, he then knew what it was.

'A ring? Why is there a ring in here? I don't remember mom wearing any extra jewelry.'

He thought as he looked at it.

As he gazed closer to it, he noticed something. Right on the inside of the ring, there was a small engraving.

"R N" he read out loud. But what did that mean?

Suddenly Gumball's eyes went wide. This was Nicole's wedding ring! The ring that belonged to her and dad. Dad...

Gumball clenched the ring in his hand. He didn't realize she had taken this off.

'She didn't take this off because of me...did she?'

Gumball then opened his hand again to look at it. What if she did? What if she didn't? The more he thought about it, the more confused he got. This wasn't helping...

As Gumball moved it around in his hand, he started thinking of something else. Something...new. Gumball knew she disliked dad now. She was done. She wouldn't need this anymore...right? Gumball jumbled that idea in his head before moving on. He knew she wouldn't need a ring to someone who she doesn't love.

A ring to someone who she doesn't love...

At that moment, a single thought came to his mind. A thought so 'left field' that Gumball hardly believed it would come to fruition in his mind. He couldn't possibly be considering...that...could he?

As Gumball clenched his fist yet again with the ring in his hand, and thought of Nicole, a little flicker of belief started to form in him. Gumball breathed before looking at himself in the streamed bathroom mirror, his reflection only half visible in it. It was far too early for him to be thinking of...that. It would take time. It was a long shot, he knew...but knowing how things were happening to each other so far...perhaps the idea of his wasn't so far fetched. Only time would tell now...

Gumball made his way out of the bathroom and into his own room and closed the door behind him. He then quietly opened his desk drawer and slipped the small golden ring inside and shut it. Then, like nothing ever happened, he made his way downstairs with Nicole for some breakfast.

Only time will tell...