Work Text:
Can We Rewrite the Stars
Bright red boots enter the great spacious ballroom. As he makes his way towards the entrance, his boots make the slightest tapping noise against the black and white marble flooring, and as he looks down, he is surprised to see his own reflection looking back at him.
He was going to show up in a black tux but decided to switch it out with an all-white tux with a simple black bowtie. After getting the invite to a ball by the president himself, he knew he would need new measurements due to his recent growth spurt. Two months ago, he had been in a battle that had resulted in damage to his rocket boots. But as Dr. Temma was rebuilding the rocket boots, the parts to fix them were a tad longer than the ones he had used previously to build him. The parts were all he had then until he could get more. After some consideration, the spikey haired kid agreed that it was okay and that he wouldn’t mind being a couple inches taller.
His father had suggested trying the white tux and see if he would like it better than the black. And surprisingly, he did. His spikey haired reflection gives a small smile back before he looks away and walks toward the loud and airy music. To his right, a small orchestra occupies a corner of the ballroom. Violins, flutes, a couple of small drums, a piano, and a single harp play harmoniously in the background.
People. There were so many people. Men and women talking, laughing, and dancing. The women’s dresses were simple colors designed in simple cuts with simple sashes and bows. Their glasses of champagne being held delicately within gloved hands. All the men wore black tuxes with black ties.
Suddenly a robot with a similar design as Orrin wheeled in front of the young man, a tray of champagne drifted towards him. “Champagne, sir?”
Astro slightly shook his head, “No, thank you.”
The robot smiled in understanding and wheeled away. Suddenly feeling out of place, Astro looked around the room to see the only robots that were there were service robots and... him. And people, a lot of people he didn’t know. He tugged on the cuff of his white tux. A knot began to form in his stomach. Where was Zane? Cora? Her parents? They’ve should have been here by now. Where was his dad at? Why didn’t he come with his dad, this was a bad idea. Why? Oh- because he wanted to fly here. He had told his dad he would go ahead and fly and then meet him there. Now, people were looking at him, some whispering into each other's ears as they eyed him.
Yep, this was a bad idea, Astro thought, as he continued to tug lightly at his sleeve. Where was his dad? Why is his dad not here yet?
“Astro? The Astro?” Astro turned to his left to find a couple walking towards him. The man was wearing a black tux, and his brown hair was sticking up in the front. Astro quickly realized it was President Logan. The woman by his side was wearing a lime green dress that went down to the floor, her diamond necklace and earrings catching the light of the chandeliers above and sparkling.
The woman quickly made her way towards him, with Logan following behind her.
“It is Astro, isn’t it?” she said smiling, stopping in front of him.
Astro smiled sheepishly, “that’s me.”
She gasped, “oh my gosh," and put her hand out. “I’m Helenna, Logan’s told me so much about you. When he told me he invited you I knew I had to meet you. I remember seeing you on the news and you defeating the peacekeeper, truly an inspiration!”
Astro felt heat rise to his cheeks as he shook her gloved hand, “I just did what needed to be done.”
Her head gave a slight tilt and her face turned into an exasperated mother look of ‘you’re too modest.”
Logan’s arm rested around Helenna waist, “He always does his best. He’s a good kid.” His smile matching Helenna’s. “Is your father here yet?”
Astro was about to answer when a large hand rested on his shoulder, startling him a bit. He stretched his neck to find Dr. Temma, his dad looking down at him fondly. “I am here.” The knot in Astro stomach began to loosen up. His dad was wearing a black tux, the color suited him nicely, and instead of a tie, a bowtie was securely tied around his neck. He felt a smile of relief stretch across his face.
His dad looked towards Logan, extending a hand. “Mr. President.”
They shook hands warmly, “I was starting to worry you wouldn’t come.” Logan said.
“No, I wouldn’t want to let the president down.” His dad said but he quickly looked back down to his son and almost immediately, Astro caught the message. What he was really saying was, ‘I didn’t want to let my son down.’
A whoop of joy burst inside Astro as he tried to contain himself from smiling too big. His dad’s hand let go of the president’s and then quickly shook hands with Helenna.
They caught up for a second before a member from his cabinet was signaling him from across the room.
Logan quickly grabbed a glass of champagne from one of the robot waiters. “Duty calls. Great to see you two, please enjoy the party. Until next time.” With his arm still around his wife’s waist, the couple disappeared into the throng leaving Astro and his dad.
“You came.” Dr. Temma suddenly pulled his attention away from the group of people as his son’s voice came into his ears. His arm was still wrapped around the young robot’s shoulder.
“Did you doubt I would show up?” Hurt and confusion slightly coating his words.
Astro raised his eyebrows, “the thought did cross my mind.”
Emphasizing on the word ‘did’ like he’s thought this thought over in his head countless times and he did. Well... not only him. Though those thoughts occupied mostly in toby’s memories, Astro had grown some of the same and different doubts within the first couple of weeks of being created. After a couple of months of continuing to live with his dad, and staying true to his word of not caring that he was not Toby. He loved Astro as if he were his own son, and the doubts slowly started to fade away, till they were in the back of Astro’s mind. Nagging at him at the most random times. He would ignore them, not give them any attention, until they faded away again.
He heard his dad sigh then saw his knee slip out of view, kneeling until he was the same height as Astro. His dad’s eyes searching his, “That was before,” he said carefully, not really sure on how to answer. “I’m trying... trying to do better.” His voice was solemn and serious, but his eyes crinkled in the corners, turning up in an almost joking way. “How am I doing so far?”
Astro thought about it for a minute, a small smile slowly turning up. “Pretty good.”
“Pretty good? Not pretty great or anything?”
“Mmm... you’re not to pretty great, yet.” Astro said, his smile now going wide and full.
“Oh,” His dad said, chuckling as he stood up from the shiny tile floor. “I’ll just have to keep trying then.” His voice turning serious again, he said this as he looked down at his son and after a second rubbed Astro’s shoulder with affection, like he was trying to warm him up on a cold snowy day.
His dad started to look around the huge ballroom, as if searching for someone. “Are your friends coming?”
Astro blinked, “They should be here?” He had totally forgotten about his friends. Now he was scanning the many faces in the room hopefully to land Zane’s shaggy hair or catch a glimpse of Cora’s pink strips. But he didn’t find them. He frowned.
Did they decide not to come? Could they not find a babysitter for the twins? The invitation the President had given out was only sent to selected members of Metro City. The top scientists who worked closely with the government no doubt his dad, Dr. Elefun, and others he could not remember. Some doctors, law enforcement, and government officials. And him. Definitely a fish out of water. Cora’s dad was in the police force and had already been given an invitation. The invitation gave strict instructions that the person invited can bring two to three friends if they wanted.
Astro still remembers when Cora and Zane told him they would see him there. So, they couldn’t have forgotten. The knot from before started to form again in Astro stomach-
The sound of double doors sliding away from each other could be heard from behind him, which was where he had come through before. He turned toward the sound to find the tall and dark Mahogany doors sliding open to reveal four people.
Astro felt a weight lift off his shoulders.
“You go ahead. I'll find you after the President’s introduction. Okay?” Temma encouraged.
“Okay." His dad gave one last smile before slipping in and out through the crowd.
Astro smiled and started heading towards his friends.
Zane was the one to reach him first. He sort of walked clumsily in his polished shoes and neat black suit, like he was embarrassed to be seen in such expensive clothes. Zane and Cora always wore the more colorful prints of the surface, not wanting to forget the home they lost.
Astro noticed his discomfort, “You okay.”
“I was okay for the first fifteen minutes, but now I want to be back in my regular clothes. Don’t get me wrong, the clothes are nice... too nice. It feels wrong to wear these.”
“Don’t worry, you look great, dude.” Astro chuckled at his friend's attempt to loosen his tie, turning towards his other best friend, "Yeah you get used... to it.”
Suddenly, everything changed as swiftly as a lightning strike. The shiny walls and marble floor disappeared and were replaced to the outside, the rain quickly turning the dirt road into mud. The samouts failing miserably to protect the surface shops lined up on either side of the street from the wet droplets.
He was standing in the middle of the street.
The girl walking towards him, instead of messy spikey hair, t-shirts with colorful designs and baggy cargo pants, a strapless deep cobalt dress took their place, the skirt falling to the floor in satin ripples. A blue sheer Cami top covered her shoulders, being held together by a silver clasp at the neck, the ends ending till it encircled her wrists and as she grew closer to him, he could make out tiny diamonds dotting every inch of the sheer material. Where short spikey hair should have fallen, the ends had been rolled into a hairstyle being held together by two silver moon hairpins.
Astro sucked in a breath. She looked like the night sky.
To him, Cora had always been beautiful ever since they met in the scrapheap a few months ago. With her bright blue eyes and her strong-willed personality of not taking crap from anybody. Not to mention how deeply she cares for the people in her life. Seeing her here dressed up made his chest tighten, making it hard to breathe.
Suddenly, she was standing in front of him, her eyes staring back at him with the same surprised look. At that moment, the desire to ask her to dance became so strong, but he couldn’t form the words. His mouth wouldn’t work, he just stopped moving. Staring dumbly at her like a deer in headlights.
Amusement took over the surface girls face and said, “It’s still me, I promise.”
Like thunder, the shiny floor, the chatter of people in the other room, and the feeling of other people present, returned to the robot’s acknowledgement.
“Huh?”
“You okay, Metro City, did your circuits stop working.”
He blinked, “No... no nothings stopped working, I just kind of... I’m okay... I just... yeah.”
She chuckled, “Good.” A smile warmed her face, her eyes turning soft and full of meaning, like she knew what he was thinking.
He couldn’t help but smile back at her.
Zane, clearly still there, didn’t know who to look at. He tried to contain his sudden outburst of laughter as curiosity crossed his mind. What was going on with these two? He already knew the two friends had grown closer over the few months. Too close to be called friends, in his mind. They were all best friends, but something had changed recently between his adopted sister and his best buddy. Over the past few weeks, he noticed Cora would grab Astro’s hand more than usual. Or, how close they would stand next to each other when they talked. Zane wasn’t exactly sure where the two friends stood, and he wanted a clear answer.
Cora’s parents, Mr. and Mrs, Kato, greeted Astro, shaking hands while walking further into the room. They liked Astro and always treated him with respect but more than once, Astro would always catch the disapproving look from her father. He would always catch it out of the corner of his eye, whenever he sat too close to her, or whenever she would run up to hug him. It was always there. Cora didn’t seem to care or notice. All she cared about was seeing her best friend.
Mrs. Kato had just hugged a woman not too far away from the trio when Cora sucked in a breath. Suddenly, she started rubbing her hands, especially her ring finger, like she was spinning an invisible ring over and over.
Astro still standing next to her, whispered, “What’s wrong?”
She was glaring at the woman, “That’s my aunt... Charlotte.” Astro followed to see the pair hugging. The woman was tall and slender. Wearing a deep red dress that cinched at her waist. Her black hair pinned into a flawless bun, not one hair escaping. And as she talked with Cora’s parents, he noticed her neck would never bend, her eyes always looking down her nose.
“I loathe that woman.” Cora finally said, with bitterness.
Both the boys raised their eyebrows, “Why?”
She blew out a sigh, “Long story short, before I lived on the surface, when she would come over and visit,” She rolled her eyes. “She would nitpick everything I do till I thought I was going to explode. I dreaded every time she came over.”
Astro clenched his fists as he listened, and something sprung inside him. A want... a need to guard... to protect her from her aunt. Just by looking at her, something about her made his skin crawl.
“That must have been hard.” Astro said, earnestly.
Cora shrugged her shoulders, “ Yeah, It’s okay. It was a long time ago... hey, hopefully she's forgotten about me.”
“Cora, dear?!” Slowly, the trio turned their attention to sharp eyes and a fake smile coming up to the poor surface girl. Not wasting another second, her auntie pulled her into a tight embrace, trapping Cora’s arms to her side. Cora stiffened, surprised by the sudden affection. Cora’s expression melted into one of why are you hugging me, and you think I forgot about you and how you made me feel as a kid? Which was what she was feeling. Charlotte had never given affection, especially when Cora was twelve years old those many years ago. The only affection Cora remembers was a cold and disappointing look, with endless criticism.
Charlotte pulled away, “I almost didn’t recognize you, child. You do remember me, don’t you?”
With the best smile she could muster, Cora said, “I could never forget you, Auntie Charlotte.”
A cough sounded behind the girls, with “Unfortunately,” followed quietly underneath their breath.
Auntie Charlotte snapped her head towards the two boys.
Cora couldn’t tell who had murmured the comment, and it became hard to not let a smile breakthrough. She turned, both boys giving her aunty innocent smiles, as if they were harmless little puppies.
Charlotte extended a delicate hand towards the boys, “And who might you two be.”
Zane jumped forward, “I’m Zane, brother to Cora.” he said this as he shook her hand enthusiastically up and down.
It took all of Astro and Cora’s willpower not to show any emotion as Cora’s auntie did not know what to make of Zane.
Ripping her hand out of his, Charlotte inquired, confused, “Brother?”
“Adopted.”
She rubbed her hands together like she was trying to get something off, “Oh... lovely.”
A sense of dread settled in the pit of Astro’s stomach as her eyes landed on his; they were the same color of blue as Cora’s.
“I’m Astro. I’m a friend of Cora’s.” he said politely, extending a hand.
She stared at him. Almost like a snake stare’s at its prey.
She didn’t take his hand and instead the slits of her eyes deepened more, “Astro?... Oh, so your so-called friend is the robot that destroyed half the city, am I right?”
Exasperated, Cora said, “Auntie.”
‘I-um...I-mean... I didn’t-” Astro didn’t know how to answer. Yes, he did destroy the city. Defeating the peacekeeper was not a clean battle. The peacekeeper would hit him with a building or smash him into the ground. He hoped there were no people or robots in the buildings. Crashed onto a street and much more. Some of the city still needed to be cleaned up as they spoke now. He didn’t mean to ruin anything, it’s just hard to keep things spotless in those moments.
Charlotte looked down her nose at him, “You deny it?”
“No,” Astro snapped. “No... I... I did destroy the city.”
This time Cora snapped, “No!” Her eyebrows pinched together, and the blue tint of her eyes turned bright. “Astro, that wasn’t your fault, it was Stone’s. If it wasn’t for you, Metro City would be gone, along with the surface.”
Astro’s eyes widened, her sudden speech surprising him. Cora was his friend, no doubt, his very best friend. Maybe a little bit more. He just never thought she be so bold of it. His chest warmed as the core spun a bit faster. The surface girl and the hero of Metro City stared at each other that felt like an eternity. Her face was serious and unwavering, as she turned back to face her auntie.
“He’s my friend and he saved the city, and that’s that... Auntie.” She said the last word with spite, not holding back.
The narrowing of her auntie’s eyes remained, staring long and hard at her niece until she said, “I see. Some things still haven't changed.” She sighed. “Pity.”
Then she left, with her chin parallel to the floor.
Cora sucked in a breath, like she had been underwater for too long. She never wants to be in the presence of that woman again. She made a promise right then to keep a look out for that specific family member.
“I’m sorry about my auntie. She can be... well... herself.”
“It’s okay. Thanks." Astro said.
Cora softly smiled at him, "Anytime."
"She seems great!" Zane said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. As soon as the two friends looked at him, they all burst into laughter.
The familiar pressure of her auntie’s scrutiny left Cora, like the midnight hour had finally ended and sunshine was bursting through the clouds.
Her burst of laughter made Astro feel warm inside and he just smiled at her. The desire to dance with her again grew, making his core spin faster. What if she doesn't want to again? What if that one dance in the rain was just that, and that’s all they could ever be. It was only a month ago, but he still remembers how she never stopped smiling when they danced. Mud covering almost every inch of her and she didn’t care. The thunder was so loud he can still remember the vibration going through his entire body. And they danced and they danced till Cora started to get cold. He would never forget that night. And he never wanted to.
Mrs. Kato came out of the crowd, towards the group, her pale purple dress swishing around her feet.
“Cora, Zane, they’re some people I want you to meet. Astro, you can come to if you like.”
Astro smiled kindly at her. “Thank you, Mrs. Kato, but you guys go ahead. I should probably go and find my dad.
“Of course.”
Cora grabbed Astro’s hand, the touch was comfortable, yet it always sent a surge of energy up his arm, entering his heart. “We’ll find you after, okay?” She said, with an encouraging smile.
“Ok.” He squeezed her hand for a second, then, slowly breaking it apart.
The two started walking, “Zane?” Mrs. Kato called out.
Zane was quick to respond, “I’ll catch up with you guys. I just want to talk with Astro for a second.”
Mrs. Kato agreed though Cora looked suspicious. Zane waved his hand forward, encouraging her to go on. She reluctantly went with her mom, but she kept stealing glances at the two boys, wondering what they were planning.
With his hand still tingling from her touch, Astro watched her slip into the crowd with a faraway look and smiled to himself.
The dance would have to wait. No wait. He can’t. His smile dropped a bit. This is Metro City not the surface. Not with these reporters and cameras everywhere.
Bringing his perspective back to reality, he turned to Zane. “So, what did you want to talk about.”
Zane was grinning sheepishly, like he had caught him red-handed and was waiting for him to realize it. But Astro just looked at him innocently, “What?”
“What’s going on with you two?” Inclining his head towards his sister.
“What are you talking about?”
“You and Cora.”
Astro furrowed his brows in confusion, but his eyes kept twitching to where Cora was and Zane’s face, “Nothing.”
Zane raised his eyebrows, “Oh... so the whole, slowly letting go of each other’s hand, you staring at her like she is the prettiest girl you’ve ever seen... is nothing?”
At first, he glared at Zane in disbelief, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. He was about to deny that none of what he just said was true, then he paused.
Over the course of five months, Astro and Cora had spent most of their time hanging out with each other, of course, with Zane. And occasionally, the twins. They would get lunch at their favorite restaurants', do homework together, go to the movies, have late nights. The friends were inseparable. On some occasions, it would just be Astro and Cora. Dancing in the rain a month ago was the closest the two had ever been. The two haven’t really spoken about it since that night. But as Astro quickly skims over his memories the last few weeks, things that seemed normal, but he didn’t want to bring to mind, came to the surface; they would always sit close together, stand close together. Whenever she was telling him something exciting, or saying goodbye at the end of the day, her hand would always find his. He didn’t mind it, in fact, he liked being close to her, it comforted him knowing she was there. And he did look at her a lot, not creepily, more with admiration and wonder. He hoped it wasn’t that obvious. Thinking about his time with Cora and immediately knowing that something had changed, he felt heat rise to his cheeks.
Zane’s grin returned. NOW he felt he was caught red-handed. If he tried to make a quick break for it, Zane would chase after him. And he didn’t want to cause a scene in front of so many people. He was caught and had nowhere to run.
Astro sighed inward and begin slowly admitting, “About a month ago, me and Cora went to the surface to retrieve a birthday present for you, and when we got there it started to rain. Everyone started dancing... I could see how much she wanted to dance and... I asked her to dance... and we danced... we danced till she started to get cold. We had a moment.”
During his whole story, Zane would nod as if in understanding, like he remembers the old-time tradition of the surface dwellers to dance whenever it rained. He never done it, but he always thought it was pretty cool. When Astro told him he had asked Cora, his eyes went wide with shock.
When Astro finished, he immediately noticed, “What?”
“Sorry, it’s just Cora’s has always been headstrong and well... Cora. I’m surprised she didn’t ask you first.”
Astro shrugged his shoulders, “It just seemed right.”
Zane nodded and folded his arms, “Ok... now that everything is out in the open... what’s your plan of action?”
The robot looked at him confused, “Plan of action?”
“You obviously like her. She likes you. And this is a ball, and you know... you could... ask her to dance again.”
“No.”
Zane looked at him and sputtered, “What do you mean ‘no?!’ You guys danced before, this is a perfect setting-”
“-I can’t” Astro voice turning serious.
Zane narrowed his eyes, “what are you talking about?”
Astro kept looking out towards the sea of people, suddenly he could see her, she was shaking hands with the president, her parents on either side of her.
“It’s not that I don’t want to, I do. But... when we were on the surface, we were just us, we were invisible. No one cared. Here, in Metro City, everyone cares. If I ask her to dance, I’m pretty sure people would not respond happily. It might make them nervous and unsure. I don’t think her dad is a huge fan of me either. We can only be friends, that’s it. And then there’s the cameras and reporters here, and I don’t want to put her in that situation.”
Zane placed a placating hand in front of him, “But Astro, we hang out with you everyday. The cameras are always there, we know that. We don’t care. She doesn't care. We’re your friends, we care about you. She cares about you.” He paused, not used to saying so many nice things. “And with the approval thing, I’ve known Cora for a while and let me remind you... you have to. Cora doesn’t need anyone’s approval; she just needs to know that your in.”
What he was saying was true, Astro knew it. Like a lightbulb, the information clicked in his head. It made more sense, but the doubt was still there. Would she still want to? Fine! If she didn’t want to, he would understand. But if she did want to dance, he would dance with her without a care in the world, only caring about her in his arms.
Turning his head away from the crowd, “Thanks.”
“For what?” Zane said.
“For saying all of that.”
He slapped Astro on the back, “Don’t mention it, buddy.”
They both went silent, staring back into the crowd. Astro sighed, Cora was still across the room talking to someone, a government official, he guessed. Suddenly, music flooded through the room as the orchestra began a new song. A slower and more romantic song. The room seemed to sway under his feet.
Zane leaned his head and bumped his elbow, “So, plan of action?”
Astro chuckled. He didn’t look at him. He didn’t need to tell him his plan. He knew. He could see Cora again.
Then, he was moving. Somehow, he was putting one foot in front of the other and parting his way through the crowd.
Like an annoying broken record, his doubts surfaced; what if she tells him no, we can’t dance here. Then it’s okay. It’ll hurt but he’ll be fine. What if she does want to dance and her dad steps between them and pushes him away? Then he’ll find a way to her somehow. What if people look at them with disapproving eyes? Let them. Each doubt that came up he pushed them down.
What would his dad think? That one he didn’t know. And he didn’t care. Right now, he just kept moving. He passed several couples, their eyes following him. He was almost to her. Close enough to see her blue eyes tare away from the president and Helenna, connecting with his brown ones.
At first her eyes widened, then with confusion, then with something hopeful.
Then she was in front of him again. Not only that, but he realized he was frozen. What was it he needed to do? Oh, right. Ask her to dance.
Cora’s voice was soft, “Hey.”
“Hey... umm.” Why was this so nerve-wracking.
Everyone was looking at them; the president, he didn’t need to sneak a peek at her father's expression, he could feel the glare from where he stood. Some of the reporters were whispering in each other's ears behind Cora, their fingers inching towards their cameras.
“I need to ask you something,” Astro finally blurted out.
Cora was trying to keep her face professional, but slowly, she was failing, she knew what he was going to ask, “Out with it then.”
The sudden memory of him giving her his hand in the rain came back. He squared his shoulders and took a step closer to her.
Her eyes and dress were shining like diamonds.
He held his hand out to her.
His eyes questioned hers, dance in front of her parents, everyone here? I like you. I want to dance with you. I want to try this... whatever this thing is... what we are... when we talked on top of the car... when you came for me when you knew you didn’t have to... whenever you grab my hand... when we danced in the rain.
Her hand slipped into his and squeezed gently. With a more surety and confidence that made Astro’s core burst with unexplained happiness.
I do too, Astro.
They both smiled at each other before he was pulling her toward the middle of the ballroom, away from everyone, away from the reporters; only being successful in getting one shot of the couple before they disappeared.
Cora’s father’s expression was full of shock, and he was beginning to walk towards them when a hand on his chest stopped him. He looked down to find his wife holding him back. Don’t Michael, she’s okay. A calmness overtook her that surprised him, it almost calmed the raging fire in his veins... almost. He sighed, and gave in.
<><><><><><><><>
The crowd parted like the red sea for them.
His hand was steady and solemn just as his face was now, Cora noticed. His white suit made his hair stand out more, his eyes looking like the color of a shiny ten-yen coin. For a second, he looked older, his height being a part of that equation. She still remembered two months ago when she and the others had been worried sick if he could be repaired from his fight, it was his rocket boots that were mostly damaged, but still she was worried. He came to school a few days later, and as he got out of the limo, she noticed something was different. Zane and the twins had rushed towards him, hugging him. After examining him from a distance, she noticed his stride was longer. He was taller. About her height. He broke away from the group and made his way towards her. Suddenly she said, “New stilts?” He paused for only a second letting the comment sink in. His eyes narrowed at her, “Funny.” Her burst of laughter only ended when she quickly eloped him with a squeezing hug. He didn’t hesitate to throw his arms around her, holding her close. Her lips grew close to his ear, “We missed you.”
He looked so handsome. She blushed, the thought fleeting across her mind. For a split second, she saw the Astro that was soaked with rainwater. The droplets falling off the tips of his spikes, now. How his eyes would light up, each time a bolt would strike across the sky.
He was looking at her. Her eyes widened, and she realized she had been staring. With embarrassment, she cast her eyes to the ground and started rambling, “It’s funny, when me and my mom were trying to decide which shoes to wear, we found out me and heels don’t mix.”
Astro looked at her confused, wondering why she was talking about shoes, until she lifted her dress. The satin ends lifting, and a pair of pink sneakers peaked out. Her sneakers.
A smile broke across Astro face, and he chuckled, “You can take the girl out of the surface, but you can’t the surface out of the girl.”
“Always,” Cora said, her voice serious like a general, but she was smiling, and she dropped her dress.
They were still holding hands. And Astro took advantage of this, quickly pulling her playfully towards him. She giggled, as he wrapped his arm around her.
They were dancing. Dancing again except there was no rain or mud this time. His other hand gently guiding her across the floor. It had been so long since they danced, and it felt good. In that moment, she never felt more protected, as his arm held her securely against him. Her cheek gently rested against his, feeling almost like a caress. They swayed to the music with other couples surrounding them. Some looked but Astro and Cora didn’t care.
The song being performed was light and airy, the melody carrying through the room with boldness. Astro caught some of the lyrics being sung like...
‘-You think it’s easy? You think I don’t want to run to you?’
‘-Because were able to be just you and me within these walls, but when we go outside, you’re going to wake up and see that it was hopeless, after all. No one can rewrite the stars.’
They matched so well to what Astro had been thinking. They rang true to him. Yes, he wanted to be with Cora but what if it’s not what she thought it would be?
He pushed her away and spun her under his arm. The same smile from a month ago returning to her face and for a second, chasing all his intrusive thoughts away.
Cora could see that something was bothering Astro, he was present but not all there.
“You okay?’ She said, as he brought her back to him from another spin.
“Do you ever think about that night in the rain?”
Her eyes glazed over as she thought about his question, like she was thinking back to a time not that long ago and then she smiled softly, “Yes, I do... why?”
Astro tilted his head to the side, “I was thinking I kind of wished it was raining... right now like that one night.”
She paused, thinking for a minute, her eyes suddenly drifted up towards the golden ceiling... yep, they were there.
“Those could work.”
Astro followed to where she was looking, past the glittering chandeliers to the tiny fire sprinklers drilled into the ceiling.
His eyes widened, “Yeah, we set those off and we’re ending up in the back of your dad’s cop cruiser... mainly me.”
“Hey, I would be just as guilty as you.” Cora counteracted.
“But he’s your dad.”
She didn’t say anything. Yeah, her dad wouldn’t hold her accountable. No matter what she tried to tell him. Astro, yes, he would be happy to keep the young superhero overnight at the station, letting the morning news create a false narrative about him.
“Well, if I can’t be arrested... I’ll just have to break you out then.” She said, confidently.
He chuckled slightly, “Oh, really?”
“Yeah, Zane and the twins would distract the guards, threaten some of them into telling us where to find you, pick the lock, then your free.”
Astro’s eyebrows raised as he listened to her vague ‘escape’ plan then he said, “That’s easier said than done.”
She gasped dramatically, “Oh, come on, have some faith in me. You know... I’ve had practice... what would this be... the fifth time I save you?
“Fifth time? When were the other times?”
She started counting on her fingers, “Rescued you from the RRF, saved you from almost getting crushed from the peacekeeper-”
“-I wasn’t really in any danger with the RRF.”
“Yeah, you totally looked like you wanted to stay there.” Cora said, sarcastically.
Astro burst into laughter and not long after, Cora did too.
He spun her around, “Yeah, your right.”
Cora’s face grew serious, all the joking aside, “If we set those off, my parents would kill me,” a small laugh escaping. “I don’t think the president would invite my parents again.”
“Yeah, my dad would be a little bit disappointed in me... but it’s a thought worth keeping in the future.” Astro said, the corner of his mouth going into a half smile.
Cora pulled him closer as they continued to dance to what was left of the song. Almost burying her face in the crook of his neck.
“I remember coming home from that night. There was so much mud covering me my parents almost didn’t let me into the house. I took off my shoes and went straight to the shower,” Cora said, into his shoulder.
“Orrin was horrified, and my dad thought I had gotten into a fight.”
"With me," Cora said.
Astro laughed.
Suddenly, they both grew silent. Just enjoying each other's company, softly swaying side to side.
When the singer stepped away from the microphone, everyone clapped.
Neither of them moved at first. Astro didn’t want to move away. He didn’t want to let her go. But... Cora reluctantly stepped away, only so she could look him in the eye.
They awkwardly let go of each other's hand and she folded her arms, while he absentmindedly rubbed his neck.
“Thanks for the dance, non-robot.”
There was something in her eyes. It was there then it was gone. A fleeting emotion he caught.
“I guess I better go find my parents.”
“Right.” Astro smiled awkwardly.
A new song started to be performed, the lyrics...
‘Where’s my mind?’
‘Maybe it’s in the gutter. Where I left my lover. What an expensive fake. My V is for Vendetta. Thought that I’d feel better. But now I got a bellyache.’
They stared at each other for a few seconds, then she was slowly walking away.
No.
“Wait.”
One second, Astro was staring after Cora and the next he was taking two steps forward, barely catching the crook of her elbow and pulling her towards him. Cora didn’t have time to react. Their faces were inches apart, and she stopped breathing. The dangly beads of her hairpins gently tickled the back of her neck.
Astro whispered, “Can we... can we keep dancing?... I mean,” he smiled lopsidedly. “There’s no rain getting you cold now.”
It took her a couple seconds to register his question and her shocked expression melted, and she smiled wide, nodding, “Yes.” Then she returned to her previous spot and wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tightly.
Astro’s core spun in his chest, and he smiled into her neck. A sudden scent hit his nose; it smelled like pears, jasmine, and vanilla, and with a jolt he realized it was her perfume.
They just swayed side to side, holding each other close. They stayed like this almost through the entirety of the song... Until.
Astro lifted his head.
Just ask her. Just ask her.
Cora looked at him with a questioning expression.
Astro sucked in a breath, “If by some miracle it rains in the next couple of weeks... would you accompany me to the surface and be my partner.”
Her eyes widened. Even though it wasn’t a date to dinner or to a movie or plainly saying would you go out with me. But that’s what he was meaning ‘would you like to go on a date with me.
“I would love to.” she said, smiling shyly.
Astro let out a breath, his eyes twinkling and smiling, “Good.”
Their eyes locked, and Astro suddenly touched his forehead to hers and closed his eyes. Doing the same thing she had done to him at the end of their rain dance a month ago. Her eyes widened, thinking he was going to kiss her, but he didn’t. Still, she blushed and tightened her arms around his neck, trying to draw him closer to her.
That date couldn’t come soon enough.